Frances Tiafoe filthy with ‘horrible’ Australian Open timeslot

After dramatic courtside scenes as he threw up in his opening-round clash, here’s what an American star had to say about his predicament.

American world No. 17 Frances Tiafoe has a bone to pick with his supporters back home after narrowly surviving a marathon first-round clash he was expected to sail through.

Tiafoe said he “wasn’t too happy” with his 11am start time on Monday as he struggled to get his nutrition and hydration levels right before a four-hour bout with French No. 62 Arthur Rinderknech.

The entertaining 26-year-old won the first two sets but deteriorated quickly in the heat on 1573 Arena, pausing during the fourth set to vomit into a courtside bin and receive medical treatment.

American star Frances Tiafoe received treatment after vomiting courtside during the fourth set of his five-set win over Arthur Rinderknech. Picture: Yuichi Yamazaki / AFP

When it looked as though he would be sent packing in a major upset, Tiafoe rallied to claim a 7-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, 6-3 victory and move on to a second-round clash against Hungary’s Fabion Maroszan on Wednesday.

“I was probably overly hydrated, mixing a lot of electrolytes. I mean, it’s 11 o’clock,” Tiafoe said when asked about the medical episode.

“We played for four hours … all of lunch we were playing through it, we ate at 10 o’clock. (He ate) rice and chicken I brought from last night, I didn’t really know if the restaurant was going to be open.

“I threw up all electrolytes and water, so it wasn’t a food-type issue. Neither was the heat, really.”

Tiafoe describes himself as a ‘night owl’ when it comes to playing in the middle of the Australian summer. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

Tiafoe made clear his preference to move into a later timeslot in his next match, admitting he had not put in a special request to tournament organisers to play later in the day.

But it had not occurred to him that US broadcasters may have requested him on early to play in prime time to his local audience.

“I didn’t request anything … but I think you guys know, I’m more of a night owl out here (in Melbourne). I would like third (match on court), but when they schedule it, you play when you play,” Tiafoe said.

“There’ll be a request for the next round.

“I didn’t think about (playing in prime time in the US on ESPN) … I’m going to talk to them, I really didn’t even think about that. That’s a great point. Thank you. Screw ESPN.”