Tennis Fans Call Out Frances Tiafoe For Novak Djokovic Comments
Frances Tiafoe is facing a bit of backlash this week for a comment he made about 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Tiafoe has been in a slump of late, losing to Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round of the US Open and suffering an opening-round loss to Marton Fucsovics at the Japan Open. Before that tournament even started, the American talked about wanting to challenge the top two players in the world, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
When discussing the current state of the ATP Tour, Tiafoe said he doesn’t count Novak Djokovic as the “third guy” behind Alcaraz and Sinner.
“There’s a couple more guys who’ve got to join them. I’m not saying beat them, but there’s got to be (other) guys – and that motivates me,” Tiafoe said, via the Olympics website. “I’m like, yo, who’s that third guy? Who’s that fourth guy? Novak (Djokovic) doesn’t count. He’s 40. I love him, but doesn’t count. He’s 40. He’s a GOAT, he’s the best player of all time. He’s not with those guys.”
Unsurprisingly countless tennis fans ripped Tiafoe for these remarks.
“A mouth shut because every time he speaks only filth comes out of it, Novak may be 38 years old but he reaches the semifinals of GS while Tiafoe does not advance to the second round of an ATP 500,” one fan replied.
“Oh boy. Novak is not gonna like that comment. Foe better prepare to lose 6-1 6-1 6-1 next time he faces Novak. Just killed any chance of beating Novak right there,” a second fan wrote.
“Tiafoe just sealed his early retirement,” another fan said.
What was Tiafoe trying to say?
Some fans are convinced Tiafoe wasn’t trying to insult Djokovic. If anything, he was saying the ATP Tour needs someone other than a 38-year-old to compete against Alcaraz and Sinner.
“I’ve seen people interpret this as an insult but I think he’s trying to say, don’t rely on Novak,” one person said. “He’s older now, not in his prime and therefore shouldn’t be seen as a 3rd guy. It’s up to Sincaraz’s peers to step up, not a guy who is in a completely different stage of his career.”
“I think his point is the next guys up should be closer to the age/generation of Carlos and Sinner,” another social media user wrote.
The past eight Grand Slam titles have been won by either Alcaraz or Sinner. They’re just taking out the competition with ease.
With Djokovic nearing the end of his career, it’s up to the new generation to step up. That puts pressure on Jack Draper, Taylor Fritz, Lorenzo Musetti, Ben Shelton and countless others on tour.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Tennis section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
