"A life saver" - Frances Tiafoe's girlfriend Ayan Broomfield discloses his heart-warming gesture days after health struggle revelation in Tokyo
Frances Tiafoe’s girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield, had a rather forgettable experience during the couple’s recent trip to Tokyo, having taken ill just hours after reaching the city. The tennis player, though, made her day with a sweet gesture as he looked after her.
Tiafoe and his girlfriend have had a busy few weeks, hopping continents since the US Open. After cheering the American on during his semifinal run at Flushing Meadows, Broomfield, a tennis player herself, accompanied her partner to New York Fashion Week and Washington, D.C. The couple were then pictured in Berlin for the Laver Cup, following which Frances Tiafoe landed in Tokyo for the Japan Open.
At the event, Tiafoe, who made the final in 2022, fell at the first hurdle, losing to compatriot Brandon Nakashima, 7-5, 6-3. Meanwhile, Broomfield faced her own challenges, being confined to the hotel room due to illness. Letting fans in on her health struggles, she recently said:
"Put a finger down if you travel to your favorite city and hours into the trip you get sick and can barely get out of bed for 48 hours," Ayan Broomfield wrote on Instagram.
"Barely made it out to experience + capture any of this magical city but the room service/delivery was exceptional," she added.
A day later, the Canadian uncovered how Frances Tiafoe tended to her while she remained bedridden. She said that the former World No. 10 initially set out to buy medicine but returned with Vapo Rub and Ritz Crackers, which heartened her.
"Frances said that he was going to get me some medicine and came back with this," Ayan Broomfield said on Instagram.
"I will say… these were a life saver !!" she added about the crackers.
"Forever your biggest fan" – Frances Tiafoe's girlfriend Ayan Broomfield on his US Open campaign
While Frances Tiafoe struggled on court during the first half of the 2024 season, he rose to the occasion in front of his home crowd during the North American hardcourt swing.
The 26-year-old reached his maiden Masters 1000 final at the Cincinnati Open, losing to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. He continued his rich vein of form at the US Open, replicating his 2022 result by reaching the semifinals. He was knocked out of the competition at the penultimate stage by his compatriot and friend, Taylor Fritz, following a hard-fought five-set thriller.
Tiafoe’s girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield, who ardently supported him across the fortnight, shared some encouraging words following his unfortunate exit.
"What a tournament, proud of you," she wrote on Instagram.
"Forever your biggest fan," she added.
Following his Japan Open appearance, Frances Tiafoe is expected to resume his campaign at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai (October 2-13).