"I came out not giving Rafa all the respect" - Tiafoe on beating Nadal at US Open
ATP
Frances Tiafoe spoke about his approach to his match against Rafael Nadal at the 2022 US Open after stunning the Spanish legend.
Tiafoe won the biggest match of his career when he defeated Nadal in the fourth round of the New York Slam. The 24-year-old American is playing probably the best tennis of his career, and that's also the reason why he reached his second Grand Slam quarter-final.
By beating Nadal, he recorded his eighth victory over a Top 10 player and also his second against a player ranked as a World No. 3. After the match, Tiafoe explained how he approached the match against the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
Tiafoe couldn't believe that he stunned Nadal, and he was thankful for all the support that he received from the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"I'm beyond happy, almost in tears, I can't believe it. I played unbelievable tennis today. I really don't know what happened."
"When I first came on the scene I felt like a lot of people had a lot of expectations on me on how I would do. I wasn’t ready for it mentally. I wasn’t mature enough for it. These past couple of years, when the tension hasn’t been on me I have been able to develop."
"I have a great team behind me. I am just putting my head down and I am happy with where I am in life in general. I am able to do me and do it my way and enjoy the game I love."
Tiafoe also admitted that he wasn't so nervous at crucial points. The reason for that was that he came onto the court, ignoring the legacy of his opponent. Instead, he focused on winning the match.
"At 4-3 [in the fourth set], when I went up 40/0, my legs were like cement. I just needed to get out of the game and then pray to god that I don’t have to serve for it. I was lucky enough to get out of that game. I came out not giving Rafa all the respect. I came out to win a tennis match if front of you guys."
