"Imagine the opposite of Frances Tiafoe calling Stefanos Tsitsipas a 'Greek yogurt', what would the reactions be" - Tennis fans slam Tiafoe for his remarks at 2022 Laver Cup

The long wait for Team World and their fans finally ended this Sunday as Frances Tiafoe beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 7-6(11), 10-8 to give them their first-ever Laver Cup victory. However, Tiafoe's remarks during and after that match have come under fire from fans on Twitter.

When play ended on Day 2, it was Bjorn Borg's Europe team that was leading 8-4. With each match holding a three-point value on Day 3, the John Mcenroe-led Team World won its first three matches to wrap up the event 13-8.

Another match was scheduled between Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud, but the result had already been decided so it was eventually canceled.

In a press conference after winning the tournament, Tiafoe stirred up controversy by referring to Tsitsipas as "Greek yogurt".

"You know, I see Stef across the court and I'm, like, I'm licking my lips playing that guy. I want to win. So, yeah, I'm just happy I got over the line. Yeah, like we just like Greek yogurt, so it was good," Frances Tiafoe said.

Even during one of the breaks in the match, the American reportedly used the same term for Tsitsipas while surrounded by his teammates.

"I want all of that Greek yogurt," Tiafoe was heard saying.

And Frances referring to Stefanos as Greek Yogurt is ok I guess @atptour ? https://t.co/lvZfPKAyxx

Several fans are upset about Tiafoe's comments, and they took to social media to express their disappointment.

"Look, Tiafoe played great and Stef got nervous with the big responsability for his team. It was a very close match but he lost in the end. Let's just say the words "daddy" and "greek yoghurt" came from the bench and that's not pretty," a fan tweeted.

@vanshv2k @littlewonder168 @lyn_knott Look, Tiafoe played great and Stef got nervous with the big responsability for his team. It was a very close match but he lost in the end. Let's just say the words "daddy" and "greek yoghurt" came from the bench and that's not pretty.

"In bad taste to call Tsitsipas ‘Greek yoghurt’ in fact disgusting by Tiafoe! Surprised commentators didn’t call this out! One thing Americans good at is being crass when they’re down," a user posted.

@LaverCup @FTiafoe In bad taste to call Tsitsipas ‘Greek yoghurt’ in fact disgusting by Tiafoe! Surprised commentators didn’t call this out! One thing Americans good at is being crass when they’re down!

"Still thinking about Greek yoghurt cos it doesn't sound right to me. I mean if on WTA tour someone says they wanna eat that dumpling when playing Qinwen, is that ok?" another tweet read.

Still thinking about Greek yoghurt cos it doesn't sound right to me. I mean if on WTA tour someone says they wanna eat that dumpling when playing Qinwen, is that ok?

Here are a few more reactions:

@jessica4stein Definitely not okay. There is a Japanese driver on F1 filed and some managers tend to make fun of him and call him "tsunami"... Fans went mad immediately. Don't why that yogurt thing would be funny in ATP🤮

@jessica4stein Not okay period! I’d be furious if anyone made derogatory comments about Qinwen and equally if anyone said anything rude about Tiafoe! He should know better!

Let's just imagine the opposite of @FTiafoe calling @steftsitsipas a 'Greek yoghurt', and what the reactions would be. @LaverCup @atptour #tiafoe #lavercup #tsitsipas #atp

@jessica4stein Very weird tbh I don't know what to think.of that. Sounds like any old thing was coming out of his mouth.

@kendallsroyco It doesn't sound right but some fan just reduce it to 'trash talk' when it fits their agenda.

#Tiafoe: "I want all that Greek yogurt"... As a Greek If I heard that, I wouldn't let that slide.#LaverCup2022 #lavercup #tsitsipas

I really did not like #Tiafoe comment for “all I want to eat Greek Yogurt”. It’s unacceptable and certainly not in the spirit of #LaverCup I am really disappointed by this behaviour. #LaverCup2022

"I'm not going to apologize to Roger, but I will say thank you" - Frances Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe and Team World after winning the 2022 Laver Cup

In the press conference after winning the 2022 Laver Cup, Frances Tiafoe was also asked if he had apologized to Roger Federer after beating him and his partner Rafael Nadal in the Swiss legend's last career match. The American flat-out refused, but also stated that he would like to thank Federer for everything that he did for tennis.

"Absolutely not. I want to see him lit, but I'm not going to apologize to him," Frances Tiafoe said. "He's got a lot to apologize after the last 24 years of beating everybody on the tour. I will say thank you for having me in this amazing event, also say thank you for what he did for the game. He's a class act. Happy to know him, happy to call him friend, happy to call him a colleague, and best wishes in his second act. But I will not apologize."

Edited by Nihal Taraporvala

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