U.S. Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe yelled a series of curses at a chair umpire after losing a match at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.
Tiafoe directed about 10 expletives at official Jimmy Pinoargote during a minute-long outburst after he lost 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (5) to 61st-ranked Roman Safiullin in the third round.
Later, Tiafoe posted an apology on social media, calling his reaction “not acceptable behavior” and writing: “That is not who I am and not how I ever want to treat people. I let my frustration in the heat of the moment get the best of me and I’m extremely disappointed with how I handled the situation.”
According to the ATP rule book, verbal abuse of an official at Masters 1000 tournaments can lead to fines of $60,000. The tournament can also take away prize money, and the case might be sent to the ATP Member Fines Committee for further review.
A tour spokesman mentioned that no decision has been made regarding the situation yet.
The 17th-ranked Tiafoe was upset about being penalized for a time violation at 5-5 in the crucial tiebreaker, which meant he lost his first serve.
Pinoargote decided that Tiafoe was not making a real attempt to serve when he tossed the ball in the air as the serve clock was about to run out. Tiafoe initially argued the call but continued playing; he lost that point and the next one, which ended the match.
After the match, Tiafoe congratulated Safiullin at the net before turning to the umpire and yelling the first expletives.
He then moved to his chair and claimed the umpire ruined the match, adding more swearing and saying he had been playing for three hours.
Safiullin moved on to face Novak Djokovic.
Tiafoe had a great summer, reaching the final of the Cincinnati Open, where he lost to No. 1 Jannik Sinner, and making it to the semifinals at the U.S. Open before losing in five sets to fellow American Taylor Fritz.
