FRANCES TIAFOE went crashing out of Wimbledon with a bang – minutes after he sent a ball flying out of the All England Club.
The American star, 25, was dumped out 6-2 6-3 6-2 by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in round three.
Frances Tiafoe whacked a tennis ball out of Wimbledon on his way to crashing out
The American also whacked his racquet against his bag
The 99-minute defeat, which started on Saturday evening, saw the No10 seed sent packing early.
And he was visibly furious as his fate became clear.
Trailing 4-2 in the third, Tiafoe lost the opening point of his service game.
He collected four tennis balls to prepare for the 0-15 point and knocked one calmly back to the ball kids.
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But then suddenly, the USA ace dropped one down and took a furious swipe at it – sending it way high over the crowd on No2 Court and likely into the car park in the old Wimbledon Park Golf Club on the other side of Church Road.
Tiafoe was given a code violation warning for ball abuse by British chair umpire James Keothavong.
Commentator Andrew Cotter said: “That was an explosion from Tiafoe, there.”
Then after dropping his serve to go 5-2 down, Tiafoe let out more anger at the changeover while sitting in his seat.
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He repeatedly whacked his racquet into his bag time and time again – but crucially did not smash it or damage the precious Wimbledon grass.
Cotter added: “I think the racquet may well be heading out on to Church Road as well soon.
“The racquet stood up well – well done, racquet.”
A gutted Tiafoe was left “depressed” by his “horrible” defeat.
He said: “This was a really bad match. Horrible, horrible stuff.
“To play this poorly is very depressing, especially at Wimbledon. I genuinely think I am one of the best grass court players in the world but didn’t show it at all. I have to live with that.
“It will hurt for a very long time. I couldn’t hit the room or make him play. It is tough to digest. I’ve never really felt like this after a loss. I’m shocked by how performed.
“I played horrendously and it is unacceptable to get broken that many times on grass.”
Tiafoe was confident of going deep into the tournament following his amazing run to the US Open semi-finals last year – captured by the Netflix cameras for Break Point.
His first-round match here at the All England Club was dramatic because opponent Yibing Wu reportedly fainted off court and was severely struggling with his breathing before carrying on.
Tiafoe did not smash his racquet or damage the grass
Tiafoe was hoping for a deep run into the second week
