Frances Tiafoe delivers poignant Federer speech after Laver Cup win

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Frances Tiafoe has paid a poignant tribute to Roger Federer after the American tennis ace won Team World’s first Laver Cup title in an epic contest on Sunday. The Laver Cup was finely poised heading into Sunday and Team World’s victory in both the first two games put them in a position to clinch their first title in Tiafoe’s clash with Tsitsipas.

It didn’t look likely to be Tiafoe’s day early on as Tsitsipas quickly raced to a one-set lead inside 21 minutes. The second was much closer as Tiafoe stepped up and found another level to make it go to a tiebreak.

Tsitsipas had three match points to force a fourth and final match in the Laver Cup with both Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz back in the locker room getting warmed up. But Tiafoe continued to stay in the points and eventually won the second set tiebreak 13-11.

Tsitsipas’ head dropped but remained in with a chance of the match tiebreak right until the very end. However, the momentum was clearly with Tiafoe and he collapsed to the floor after he secured Team World’s first Laver Cup.

Epic scenes followed as his team-mates jumped on top of him on the court with Team Europe left consoling Tsitsipas. It meant also meant Federer was denied a fairytale ending upon his retirement, but Tiafoe showed his class with a brilliant tribute to the 20-time Major champion.

Tiafoe played his own part in Federer’s farewell match, pairing up with Jack Sock to face off against the Swiss icon and Rafael Nadal. And the Team World hero paid tribute to Federer ahead of his retirement this week.

Source: Read Full Article