Frances Tiafoe lost a close match to Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, and it was the second time he lost a close five-setter to him.
The two met at the 2022 US Open, a tournament after which the young Spanaird emerged as the youngest man to ever become the World No. 1 player on the ATP Tour. They played in the semi-final, and Alcaraz won 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3.
They have not met on the tennis court in the past two years, but they met again at Wimbledon this year, and once again, the Spanish player won, this time 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2, as Tiafoe held a 2-1 lead.
Prior to the tournament, the American said that it bothered him that he never got a chance to play on Wimbledon's Centre Court, and he got his chance against Alcaraz.
The two said ahead of their meeting that there were no friends on the tennis court, and it showed during their clash, as it was very close. Tiafoe, who finally got a chance to showcase his skills on the Centre Court, was happy with the show he put on, despite losing.
"It was huge. Me coming after one of the best players in the world and putting my game on display at the highest level, a court I've never played on. So that definitely sparked a huge light under me."
"I was a little tentative in the ‘breaker. I wish I was swinging out on my shots a little more from the ground on the breaker. I thought I let him dictate a little too much."
The two have a very good relationship, and Tiafoe is no stranger to playing with words when addressing Alcaraz. Previously, the American said that he wanted to 'knock him out', and he had a funny remark now again.
After their match, the two friends enjoyed a quick chat at the net, and asked after the match what it was about, Tiafoe revealed that he told Alcaraz that he couldn't stand him.
"Just ultimate respect. Him just saying, It's good to see you play like that. Me just saying, I can't stand you."
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