Frances Tiafoe pictured himself on a tennis court due to growing up literally next to a court which made the choice really easy.
It's a decision that Tiafoe doesn't regret as he found himself as one of the better players on the Tour as well as one of the most favourite players among fans. It's not by chance, it's because Tiafoe loves to play for the fans and entertain them. The effect of that is a more diverse crowd which makes him very happy.
It’s cool to see more people of colour in the stands watching and becoming tennis fans. They don’t even know how to keep score but they're just so into it because I’m playing. That’s cool... you're changing the game. That’s what I want, non-tennis fans to watch the game because Frances Tiafoe’s playing, to show young kids anything is possible.”
From the earliest times in his life, Tiafoe remembers wanting to play tennis. He remembered his first steps in tennis during a recent talk with the ATP.
I was about three years old when I started playing tennis. Three, four years old. Both my parents being very hard workers, very dedicated, very passionate… that kind of instilled a certain drive in me to pursue the game of tennis once that opportunity was given. From a young age I knew this is what I really wanted to do, and it’s scary... but you’ve got to dream big. My parents always told me your dreams have got to be so big you’re afraid of them.