Frances Tiafoe’s girlfriend Ayan Broomfield addresses racism tennis star’s partners face

Ayan Broomfield is not holding back.

The girlfriend of tennis star, Frances Tiafoe is addressing the racism that she and other Black women face as partners to tennis stars in the sport.

“A lot of the times when the [Ayan’s Aces] girls come, I do kind of give them a bit of a warning that they might get some weird stares and stuff. … It shouldn’t be jarring, but sometimes I think it is jarring to see 20 women of color walking through a tennis tournament,” Broomfield in an interview with Hard Court, on May 18, referring to her nonprofit. “Sometimes we’re asked like, ‘Are you part of the Real Housewives? Are you shooting a music video?’”

After having experienced those interactions with fellow tennis fans, she doesn’t get why just because they are a group of Black women watching the sport, it can’t be for anything other than the love of the game or supporting their partner.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s their fault, per se, but just the fact that it’s so shocking for them to see a group of women of color at a tennis tournament … instead of thinking, ‘You know what, these people came to really enjoy the sport, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the tennis itself,’” she continued.

She noted that she, at times, feels “uncomfortable” as sometimes tennis fans assume she is working the event and not attending it.

“Sometimes when I go to tournaments, I’ll have my credential on and I’ll go to the entrance, and people will be like, ‘The workers’ entrance is over there,’ and I’m like, ‘Well, actually, my significant other is about to play on center court in five minutes. I’m in the right line, I promise,’” she recalled. “It’s just uncomfortable, you know? And people don’t really understand that part of it. It’s not this whole big thing; it’s not that they’re not letting me in. It’s just that little [sense in your head that] you don’t necessarily … belong.”

Her experience is why she founded Ayan’s Aces to make sure other Black women have the support.

“It’s not fun, and I think it is because there isn’t enough representation of women of color at the tournament,” she said. “That’s what I’m trying to fix, because no one should feel like that. Everyone should feel like they can come to the tournament and be welcomed with open arms. That’s just the goal of my ancestors.”

Broomfield started the organization in 2025. As for her relationship with Tiafoe, they’ve been together for over 10 years.

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