Frances Tiafoe found himself laughing at his girlfriend Ayan Broomfield’s passionate courtside display during his thrilling comeback at the 2025 Canadian Open.
After clawing his way back from a set down, the American couldn’t resist poking fun at Broomfield’s animated support with a playful social media dig.
How Did Frances Tiafoe React to Ayan Broomfield’s Over-the-Top Courtside Energy?
Tiafoe, seeded seventh at the National Bank Open in Toronto, entered his campaign with high expectations for his seventh career appearance at the tournament. The 27-year-old received a bye in the opening round before launching into what would become a memorable second-round battle against Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki.
The match itself told a story of resilience, with Tiafoe dropping the first set 1-6 before rallying to win 7-5, 7-6(5).
However, it was Broomfield’s courtside performance that captured nearly as much attention as the tennis itself. Throughout the grueling three-set encounter, she provided non-stop encouragement from her front-row seat.
Tennis Channel captured the moment that would soon go viral, showing Broomfield enthusiastically cheering with the kind of energy that made other fans take notice. Her animated reactions and vocal support painted the picture of someone completely invested in every point.
Tiafoe’s response was pure gold. He reshared the video on his Instagram story with a perfectly cheeky caption: “She b trippin.”
With his comeback victory secure, the World No. 12 advanced to face Aleksandar Vukic in the third round. The matchup carries extra weight since the Australian defeated Tiafoe in their only previous meeting at the 2024 Almaty Open quarterfinal.
MORE: ‘Not a Real Place’ – Frances Tiafoe’s Girlfriend Ayan Reveals Being Offered Psychedelic Drugs While in Toronto Amid American’s Canadian Open Campaign
The winner will move on to face either Christopher O’Connell or ninth seed Alex de Minaur in the round of 16.
Beyond his singles campaign, Tiafoe partnered with fellow American Alex Michelsen for the doubles draw. Their first-round opponents will be the Canadian pair of Alexis Galarneau and Gabriel Diallo.
How Has Tiafoe Supported Broomfield’s Tennis Journey?
Broomfield recently opened up about how crucial Tiafoe’s support was during her college playing days, revealing a partnership that goes far beyond typical relationship dynamics. The couple’s story began in 2015 when they met through a mutual friend, though they didn’t go public with their relationship until 2018.
By that point, Broomfield was already making waves in college tennis at Clemson University, where she earned ACC Freshman of the Year and ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year honors in 2016.
Her college success continued as she helped guide Clemson to the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament. However, the behind-the-scenes collaboration between Tiafoe and her coach made the biggest difference in her development.
Speaking on the Sunday Sports Club Podcast with Allison Kuch, Broomfield revealed how her coach, Nancy Harris, worked directly with Tiafoe to enhance her training. The arrangement showed just how much respect Harris had for Tiafoe’s tennis knowledge and his insight into Broomfield’s game.
“Absolutely incredible for me when Frances came to my college matches. Because I had an amazing head coach at Clemson, her name was Nancy Harris. She knew that I really liked Frances’s feedback. So she would like work with Frances. They would be coaching me together on the court,” she said.
Broomfield went on to explain why Tiafoe’s tennis advice carries special weight with her, even when she might prefer other perspectives on different topics. His expertise at the highest level of professional tennis makes his court insights invaluable.
“Actually, I really value his input. I think everything off-court, I’m like I’d rather hear from anyone else. But on court I’m like okay this is an expert in his field. There’s a reason why he is at the top of his game. What do you see and how can you help me,” she added.
While Broomfield hasn’t officially announced her retirement from competitive tennis, she has stepped away from the sport since the pandemic due to stress and injuries.
