The “too small” celebration has now made its way to tennis. Frances Tiafoe performed the gesture after defeating Lorenzo Musetti, who recently won a bronze medal for Italy.
The gesture, originating in basketball, is typically used as a taunt when a taller player dunks over a shorter opponent. It has also appeared in the NFL, where Justin Jefferson tried this against the Carolina Panthers with his own “too small” gesture but was promptly fined by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Some wonder if this move was over the top, especially considering Tiafoe’s season. Tiafoe’s season has been difficult, as he hasn’t advanced beyond the third round in any Grand Slam this year.
In contrast, Lorenzo Musetti reached the semifinals at Wimbledon and won the bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Earlier this year, Musetti welcomed a baby boy with his partner, Veronica Confalonieri.
Unsurprisingly, Tiafoe’s gesture has drawn criticism from many. Their next matchup should be interesting, given the tension from this celebration.