Frances Tiafoe not happy with Taylor Townsend roasting Washington Commanders-inspired fit at DC Open

WASHINGTON, DC—Frances Tiafoe has gotten high marks for his Lululemon fit at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, wearing yellow and red in tribute to the Washington Kastles NFL team.

But not everyone is a fan, Tiafoe revealing good friend Taylor Townsend was roasting the color combination this week.

“I'm a little upset with her, because she was clowning my outfit, calling me Ronald McDonald earlier today,” he said after the knocking out 2024 finalist Flavio Cobolli in straight sets. “I wasn't messing with that at all.”

A world No. 2 in doubles, Townsend is in the midst of a strong singles week, avenging a Wimbledon defeat to 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin to make the quarterfinals. Tiafoe gave his fellow American her flowers, but couldn’t quite shake the insult when asked about Townsend in his post-match press conference.

I didn't think that was funny earlier. I'm going to have to knock her. It be your own people, man. That's the thing. It be your own people! Frances Tiafoe on Taylor Townsend's fashion roast

“Two Ts,” exclaimed Tiafoe. “She's been killing, man. She's been doing really well. Killing the doubles for a long time, having a great run in singles, and she is so talented, able to do a lot of things. I have known her for a long time. Good friend of mine, of course. She's got a kid now. Obviously, you know, doing it for more than just her. She's been doing great, man. Hell of a player. Hell of a player, hell of a person.

“I didn't think that was funny earlier. I'm going to have to knock her,” he said, adding with a laugh, “It be your own people, man. That's the thing. It be your own people!”

A DMV native, Tiafoe is a hometown hero at the DC Open, reaching his first semifinal at the ATP 500 event last year, making the Commanders tribute not only a foregone conclusion but a testament to his bourgeoning relationship with Lululemon, which also outfits WTA star Leylah Fernandez.

“I'm pretty involved,” he said when I asked about his level of input with what he wears on court. “I'm wearing a great brand. Their blue sky is anything I want to do. Obviously, a lot of things this year were already done of what they wanted to put out, but they have been incredible to me, man. They just want me to be extremely happy and comfortable.

“They knew what does it mean to be here in D.C. and how much I'm here enjoying it. I love Lululemon. It's a great brand. I'm happy with the partnership. Can't wait to see what we do down the line.”

The Commanders have been under pressure to change their name as they work to build a new stadium. Tiafoe called the controversy “above [his] pay grade” but was excited by the prospect of the NFL having representation in D.C.

“I think it would be great for the city,” Tiafoe said on Wednesday. “And I'm from Maryland. But the stadium is old, man. We need new life, and I think Jayden [Daniels] did an incredible job of giving them new life. I think the city, it being in D.C., would help the city a ton.”

Tiafoe will next face No. 4 seed and doubles partner Ben Shelton for a spot in the semifinals; despite the all-American match-up, the sixth seed was confident he’ll have the D.C. crowd behind him.

“I mean, they'll be cheering for him, but let's pump the brakes,” he said, looking stunned by the suggestion that the crowd would be split in its allegiance. “I think a lot of the crowd will still be for me. Obviously, he will get a lot of support, no question, but the crowd will definitely be going my way. I'm not too worried about that.”

No word on what Shelton thinks of the Commanders fit.