"Who needs ATP Finals" as Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul hilariously poke fun at Frances Tiafoe attending NBA game in off season
ATP
Frances
Tiafoe attended to cheer on the Mavericks, earning teasing from Alexander
Zverev, Ben Shelton, and Tommy Paul.
'Big-Foe'
showcased his love for basketball, cheering on the Dallas Mavericks in an
exciting showdown against the New Orleans Pelicans that ended in a resounding
victory for the Mavericks, 136-124.
Frances
Tiafoe shared images on Instagram, providing a behind-the-scenes look at his
front-row experience. The tennis sensation rubbed shoulders with prominent
figures from the Mavericks, sharing moments with players such as Luka Doncic
and Tim Hardaway Jr. Notably, Tiafoe also exchanged camaraderie with Mark
Cuban, the visionary businessman and owner of the Mavericks.
Some tennis
players, including Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton, commented on Tiafoe's post
in a friendly tone, creating a relaxed atmosphere around the American's
courtside excursion.
"Dallas
finna be my second home. Thanks for having me @dallasmavs really felt the
love," Tiafoe wrote on Instagram.
"Who
needs the World Tour Finals if you can just be courtside in every NBA
stadium," Alexander Zverev commented under Tiafoe's post. "Damn
bro let me enjoy my off-season," Tiafoe responded to world No. 7.
Tiafoe's
compatriots, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, also joked about the photos he shared:
“Who's a
better businessman big foe or Mark Cuban? ," Shelton wrote.
"Didn't
expect to see anything else from off-season foe," Paul stated.
Recently,
Frances Tiafoe stated that spectators should have the freedom to come and go
from the stadium during a match, as well as make noise, regardless of whether a
point is being played, similar to other sports. However, he expressed that the
five-set format of Grand Slam matches should not be changed:
"Kinda
what we talked about earlier, fanfare, fans being able to move around and be
rowdy. Talking during points, music going. When the points are delayed or in
between the points, to keep the energy up, and keeping that vibe. Kind of like
UTS, with everything they have put into that," Tiafoe said.
"I
think format is fine. I don't think we should reduce tennis matches. Grand
Slams have been 3 out of 5 and so iconic for so many years. To change that now,
I feel like it doesn't count for what all those guys did," he opined.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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