Tiafoe's LeBron James-inspired celebrations after each of his Australian Open wins entertained many fansGETTY IMAGES
Tennis player Frances Tiafoe may be "helping attract the younger audience" that the sport "sorely needs to survive in the hypercompetitive sports marketplace," according to Liz Clarke of the WASHINGTON POST. Tiafoe last month drew "well-deserved attention for his skill and toughness in knocking off three higher-ranked players in succession to reach an Australian Open quarterfinal." But it was his LeBron James-inspired "on-court celebrations after each victory in the run-up -- in which he ripped off his shirt, thumped his chest, raised his knees and roared, or hiked up a sleeve to slap a flexed biceps -- that entertained so many tennis fans." Tiafoe: "Tennis needs it. Tennis needs some different personalities and a lot more emotions." Tiafoe acknowledged that his on-court celebrations "aren’t universally embraced by more traditional fans, who may feel that nothing more is warranted after a victory than a wave to the crowd." He said, "I have a big personality, so it comes easy for me. I just hope that it comes from more guys in the locker room. And I hope fans really gravitate toward it" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/6).
