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Frances Tiafoe Doesn't Hold Back His Opinion Of Lorenzo Musetti

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 6:36 PM ET

Despite trailing Lorenzo Musetti after one set this Tuesday, there was a real chance Frances Tiafoe would clinch a berth in the French Open semifinals.

During the second set of Tiafoe's match against Musetti, the latter inadvertently kicked a ball right at a line judge. Some fans thought he should've received a default for his "disrespectful" behavior on the court. However, all he got was an unsportsmanlike conduct warning.

After dropping the second set, Musetti raised his level of play and defeated Tiafoe in four sets. When asked about kicking a ball right at a line judge, he called it an "unlucky" incident.

"Yeah, honestly it was really unlucky coincidence. Yeah, I was honestly scared, because I really didn't want to harm nobody, of course. So I immediately went to the line umpire, and I of course said, Sorry, I apologize to everyone," Musetti said. "It was right to have a warning, but I think the umpire saw that there was no intention about that, and that's why probably just, you know, let me continue my game."

Tiafoe was also asked about this situation. As you'd imagine, he was incredibly frustrated by the chair umpire's decision.

Tiafoe said it was "comical" that Musetti wasn't punished for his antics on Tuesday.

"I mean, obviously he did that and nothing happened," Tiafoe said. "I think that's comical, but it is what it is. Nothing happened, so there's nothing really to talk about. Obviously it's not consistent, so it is what it is."

For reference, Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the 2020 US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball.

Musetti's incident wasn't as violent, but it's still wild to see so many inconsistencies in the way umpires officiate the sport.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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