Michael Kouame slaps Raphael So Ankrah video, ITF Juniors tournament

Footage has emerged of the moment a French tennis player slapped his opponent in the face after losing a match, sparking a brawl on the court.

On Monday, 15-year-old Michael Kouame lost to Raphael So Ankrah 2-6 7-6 6-7 in the first round of an ITF Juniors tournament in Accra, the capital city of Ghana.

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As the players went to shake hands at the end of the three-set contest, Kouame slapped Ankrah across the face with his left hand.

A video of the incident quickly circulated on social media, including footage of an ugly fisticuffs that erupted on the court immediately afterwards.

It is not clear why Kouame attacked his opponent.

Kouame, who is currently ranked No. 589 on the ITF Junior Rankings, was the No. 1 seed heading into the hard-court tournament. Ankrah is scheduled to play countryman Ishmael So Nortey Dowuona in the second round.

The Ghana teen – ranked No. 1688 on the ITF Junior Rankings – will return to the court on Tuesday for a doubles match against Italy’s Davide Brunetti and France’s Mickael Kaouk.