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Frances Tiafoe sports Joakim Noah's Chicago Bulls jersey at Roland Garros practice

The tour's most avid collector of basketball jerseys whipped out another (with French connections) on the eve of the clay-court major.

ByBaseline Staff

Published May 26, 2024

MATCH POINT: Z. Qinwen/ F.Tiafoe def. S. Stephens/T.Paul; Tie Break Tens

Forty-one years ago, in 1983, Yannick Noah lifted the trophy at Roland Garros, and is, to date, the last French man to win the tournament. But on the eve of the 2024 champions, Noah's son, the retired basketball great Joakim Noah, also had a place of prominence on Paris' courts ... thanks to Frances Tiafoe.

The American, seeded No. 25 at the clay-court major, was spotted wearing Joakim Noah's Chicago Bulls jersey during a pre-tournament practice, which coincidentally took place on Roland Garros' annual kids' day that was named in Yannick Noah's honor last year.

Tiafoe, a noted basketball fan, might be the tennis tour's most avid collector of player jerseys, and he's made a habit of wearing them during practice, warm-ups, and in other off-court appearances.

This year alone, the 2022 US Open semifinalist donned both an Orlando Magic jersey and Elena Della Donne's Washington Mystics' kit at the Australian Open, and was photographed wearing Sabrina Ionescu's New York Liberty jersey at Indian Wells.

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Tiafoe's 'fit caught the eye of the retired hooper himself, who commented on the post from the tournament's official account and wished Tiafoe luck for the tournament.

"Keep making us proud brother," the two-time NBA All-Star added.

The former Top 10 player is just 11-11 for the 2024 season to date, and comes into Paris having lost five of his last six matches beginning with a runner-up finish in Houston in April to Ben Shelton. Twelve months ago, Tiafoe had his best-ever Roland Garros effort, and reached the third round.