Ghanaian Tennis Player Slapped by French Opponent in Viral Video Breaks Silence

Ghanaian Tennis Player Slapped by French Opponent in Viral Video Breaks Silence

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:00 PM
  • Ghanaian tennis player, Raphael Nii Ankrah has finally spoken about the unfortunate incident that happened between him and his French opponent
  • Raphael Nii Ankrah was slapped after defeating number one-seed Michael Kouame in their J5 Accra Tennis Foundation Ghana Open encounter
  • Nii Ankrah ended up defeating his opponent Michael Kouame in the first round of the Ghana Open last week

Raphael Nii Ankrah, the Ghanaian teen tennis player slapped by his opponent after in Accra, has finally spoken about the unfortunate incident.

The 16-year-old, who was leading in the first round of the Ghana Open, was given an ugly slap while approaching his French opponent, Michael Kouame to exchange greetings.

In an interview with Graphic Sports, the tennis prodigy explained he was focused on winning and felt no need to retaliate.

Nii Ankrah, Tennis, Michael Kouame, Accra Open
Raphael Nii Ankrah speaks about slap during Accra Open. Credit: @kwekuzurech @graphicsportsonline
Source: Twitter
"We were going to the net to do the formal greeting, so I never expected the slap and it came as a big surprise," Ankrah told the Daily Graphic.
"As at that time I was angry and I wanted to hit him with my racket but I saw my coach from afar begging me not to hit him because if I did that, I will also be penalised, so I did not retaliate.
"I had not met him, till we met on the court that day. I had not spoken to him too, so it came as a surprise when he slapped me," the Winneba Senior High School student said.

The video of the slap a week ago has since gone viral with Michael Kouame expelled from the competition.

Raphael Nii Ankrah lost the final of the J5 Accra Tennis Foundation Ghana Open 6 (4)-7, 1-6 to compatriot Yakubuu Abubakari-Lea last Saturday.

Ghanaian tennis player slapped by French opponent

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the world of tennis is in uproar after a video emerged of a teenage French tennis player smacking his Ghanaian opponent after an International Tennis Federation juniors tournament match in Ghana.

Michael Kouame, a 15-year-old, had just been defeated by hometown favourite Raphael Nii Ankrah 2-6, 7-6 and 6-7 in the first round of the tournament held in the capital Accra when the incident occurred.

Kouame waited for the 16-year-old Ankrah to approach him at the net for the customary handshake, before slapping him with his left hand as the latter reached out.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.
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