SUMMARY
- Taylor Fritz sent shockwaves throughout the tennis community when he was caught liking one of Sean Strickland's homophobic tweets and immediately apologized.
- Strickland caught wind of Taylor's apology and slammed the tennis star.
American tennis star Taylor Fritz is one of the most popular players around at present. Unfortunately, Taylor has found himself at the center of a massive controversy. Fritz liked one of Sean Strickland’s homophobic tweets, and all hell broke loose. And now, Strickland has aimed his ire at Fritz since he found out about his apology.
Strickland is one of the most outspoken players in mixed martial arts. The former UFC middleweight champion went on a homophobic rant since the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates Pride Month in June every year. Sean questioned the reason for the month-long celebrations and if George Washington would approve of it.
Fritz came under fire from fans once it came to light that he had liked the tweet. The player immediately issued an apology. He clarified that he must have “accidentally” liked Strickland’s tweet while perusing his tweets out of curiosity.
Holy shit I just got sent this and had a heart attack…. I DEFINITELY didn’t purposefully like this, I was looking at Stricklands profile a couple days ago cause of all the news he was in while in Vegas. I had to of accidentally liked that while scrolling the replies but wow just… https://t.co/N5VIjiuTpg
— Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) February 20, 2024
Taylor’s actions, whether intentional or not, sent shockwaves throughout the community. As it made the headlines, Strickland caught wind of it too.
Sean shared a screenshot of an article and slammed Taylor. He then went on to outline the five things he endorses, transphobia being one of them. “F*ck who you want,” Strickland wrote on Twitter.
What I endorse
1. America first
2. Trans is mental illness
3. Pronouns,gender resignment is child abuse
4. Government stays out of our families
5. Lastly fuck who you want, I just don’t want to be force fed it by beer companiesThey hate that we don’t bend the knee. Them vs US pic.twitter.com/RF4hVneFGh
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) February 21, 2024
Even though Taylor Fritz apologized for his mistake, it has divided the fans. While many took Taylor’s apology at face value, his image has been tarnished.
Fans divided over Taylor Fritz controversy
When Sean posted his tweet referring to Pride Month, a user named Nima Yamini agreed with him. Yamini went on to add that the Founding Father, George Washington, would hit the reset button. A different user pointed out, in a now-deleted tweet, that Fritz had liked Yamini’s reply to Strickland.
Many fans embraced Taylor’s apology, which felt genuine because he typed it in a state of panic. Others, however, were not as forgiving.
You have to respect the speed (and how clearly genuine this correction is.) https://t.co/4OzKtv0pM5
— miranda (@tennisera) February 20, 2024
Taylor Fritz being homophobic…damn he was one of my faves
— Idgaf War Veteran (@tipsyguttergirl) February 20, 2024
Taylor Fritz is also a homophobic prick apparently.
— DavidDavidson_3955 (@DavidDa24356441) February 20, 2024
Taylor Fritz will want to move on from this controversy as quickly as possible. He defended his Delray Beach title and will team up with Aryna Sabalenka at the Eisenhower Cup ahead of Indian Wells.