Frances
Tiafoe posed in a photo with Alexander Ovechkin, a pro-Putin hockey player and
captain of the Washington Capitals in the NHL.
World No.
16 has made several public appearances since concluding his 2023 season at the
Paris Masters, where he suffered a painful first-round defeat against
Aleksander Bublik (6-3, 6-4). The American tennis player was recently spotted
at an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans. This
time, he visited the Washington Capitals, a hockey team in his hometown.
The 2022 US
Open semifinalist interacted with several players from the Capitals,
participating in activities both on the ice, playing hockey, and trying his
hand at tennis. After the encounter,
Frances Tiafoe exchanged gifts with
Alexander Ovechkin, the team's captain. 'Big-Foe' presented a signed tennis
racket, and in return, Ovechkin gave him a signed hockey stick and jersey.
Both
athletes posed together in a photo that generated criticism for Tiafoe due to
Ovechkin's political affiliation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he
had previously supported in the 2018 presidential campaign.
“Tennis
star Francis Tiafoe met with Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin who
started a movement called PutinTeam in support of Russian President Vladimir
Putin. The champion of three ATP tournaments presented the Russian hockey
player with a racket.”
Fans
reacted on social media to the image, especially as it became known that
Ovechkin has a close relationship with Putin and reportedly even has the
president's phone number. Here are some of the fan reactions on X (former Twitter)
"I had
a lot of respect for you on and off the court. Not anymore," the fan
commented.
“What a
shame! He took a picture with a hockey player and you made all this up... Your
account should be banned”
