Next Story
Newszop

Frances Tiafoe slammed for 'absolutely ridiculous' moment that was 'unfair' on Cam Norrie

Send Push
image

BBC co-commentator and former Australian Open finalist John Lloyd slammed Frances Tiafoe for taking an age to get changed following his third set against Cameron Norrie. The American took the first set 6-4 but then lost the next two.

During the break ahead of the fourth set, Tiafoe took a prolonged period of time to collect his belongings from his courtside seat before heading for a toilet break. He appeared to grab a towel, t-shirt, shorts and fresh trainers from his bag before requesting a toilet break from the umpire.

And Lloyd slammed the No. 12 seed for intentionally trying to kill Norrie's momentum as he took seven minutes before returning to start the fourth set.

"This is ridiculous, I'm sorry but it's absolutely ridiculous," Lloyd said on the BBC. "The momentum of the game. And you had the French Open final and they didn't go for one bathroom break in five hours. Not one. If I was Norrie I would go out and hit a couple of serves."

After watching Tiafoe pick so many belongings out of his bag, commentator Andrew Castle quipped: "It looks like he is moving in."

image

Lloyd added: "He needs to take his shoes as well. What is going on here. He can't go off now. He has already taken three minutes here. You can't wait that long before you have to go off. You have to go off right away."

French umpire Damian Dumusois allowed Tiafoe to then slowly walk off the court, much to the anger of Castle. He fumed: "Damian Dumusois in the chair here. I'm not sure what he can do. You've got the court official waiting to lead him off and the loo is just back there.

"I think this is actually unfair to the person who is in front and is on the charge."

Lloyd joined in, saying: "I think if you have to have a bathroom break, you get your stuff immediately. You can't just wait three minutes deciding which shirt and shorts you want to wear.

"This for me, I don't agree with it at all. I think this is wrong."

When play resumed, Norrie continued his momentum to take the fourth set, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.

To be the first to receive the latest Wimbledon news, join our WhatsApp community or Wimbledon newsletter

Loving Newspoint? Download the app now