That’s one way to go from friend to ‘foe.
No. 19 Francis Tiafoe’s racket was stolen moments after he defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-4 in a grueling four-hour, 43-minute second-round match at Roland Garros Thursday — but he didn’t have to wait long to get it back.
An elated Tiafoe celebrated with a group of fans seated in the first row after the thriller, but he visibly emerged from the pack sans his Yonex tennis racket.
It didn’t take long for the U.S. Open semifinalist to notice that he was missing some equipment.
“So I’m walking off the court, and I had all the rackets out of my bag, and I was like, ‘Wait, I’m down a racket,” Tiafoe said on TNT Sports after the match, noting he usually travels with eight.
The video shows a woman among the fans celebrating with Tiafoe, grabbing his racket and eventually making off with it.
After conferring with head coach Dr. Mark Kovacs, Tiafoe decided to make a social media post asking that his match-winning racket be returned — but not without a sweetener.
“Unreal atmosphere on court 14 today,” Tiafeo wrote in an Instagram story shortly after the match. “But I must say to the fan who took my racket at the end when I was celebrating with yall. Can I please have it back…”
“I’ll bless you with two tickets for my next match. Dm ©brian_ kublk to collect my racket thanks for the love y’all.”
He confirmed to TNT Sports that his racket was returned to him shortly after the post, adding that a member of his team took a selfie with the woman, who is seen holding up what appears to be a pair of Tiafoe’s sneakers.
“Keep your racquet in your hands brotha,” the post read with a crying laughing emoji.
Tiafoe said that despite having seven other rackets in rotation, he wanted the stolen one back for a simple reason.
“I mean I won the match with it, it’s gotta be good luck,” he said.