Promising French tennis player Michael Kouame has slapped his opponent in the face after losing his first round match at an International Tennis Federation juniors tournament in Accra, Ghana.
The 15-year-old was defeated by Ghanaian player Raphael Nii Ankrah 2-6, 7-6, 6-7.
As both players went to shake hands at the end of the straight-sets encounter, Kouame was filmed slapping Ankrah unsuspectingly across the face with his left hand, triggering a fist fight among spectators on the court.
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It is not known why Kouame attacked his 16-year-old opponent or what disciplinary action will be taken for the swipe.
Ranked No.589 in the ITF Junior Rankings, Kouame was the No.1 seed heading into the tournament. He is still entered in the doubles competition.
Ankrah, ranked No.1708, will now play fellow countryman Ishmael Nii Nortey Dowuona in the second round.
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