A rare image was the one that was seen this Monday at the close of the match of a tournament of the junior tennis circuit that is played in Ghana. The French Michael Kouame he slapped his rival, the local Raphael Nii Ankrahat the time of the final greeting and generated a fight between the relatives of both.
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Michael Kouame, 15 years old and top favorite for the title in the Future category tournament played in the city of Accra, had a violent reaction at the end of the first round match that he lost in three sets (6-2, 6-7). and 7-6) against the local player, a year older. When the winner approached to shake his hand at the net, the French tennis player slapped him.
Raphael Nii Ankrah was surprised by the attitude, but his relatives immediately jumped from their places in the stands and tried to attack Kouamewhich was defended by his own, according to the videos that emerged on social networks.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF), the entity that organizes the tournament, has not yet spoken publicly about the incident, although the Frenchman could receive a harsh punishment.
Michael Kouame is currently ranked 606th in the ITF Junior ranking. As published by the French media RMC Sport, was born in Sarcelles (Val-d’Oise) and is one of the most promising tennis players in his country. She is part of the All-In Academy, a high-level education and training center that is located in Lyon and is owned by the former number 5 in the world, Jo-Wifried Tsonga.
Raphael Nii Ankrah, meanwhile, is ranked 1,708th in the world among juniors. In the second round of the Accra tournament he will face his compatriot Ishmael So Nortey Dowuona.
Francisco Cerúndolo advanced 50 places in the ATP ranking after his great week in Miami
Francisco Cerundolo He achieved his best position in the ATP ranking and placed at number 51 after his great week at the Master 1000 in Miami, a tournament in which he was eliminated in the semifinals by the Norwegian Casper Ruud.
The good performance of the 23-year-old Argentine tennis player made advanced 52 positions (he was at 103) and has great chances to continue growing.
