Frances Tiafoe talked a big game before Wimbledon but he failed to back it up on the courts as he crashed out against Grigor Dimitrov.
Frances Tiafoe has been having a really strong season so far. There is a certain level of belief that wasn't there in the past and it's reflected in the way he plays on the court. He won a trophy earlier this year in Houston, his first ATP title on clay, backing up some of the bold claims he made earlier this year though his hunger is only rising.
All of this began last year at the US Open where he played the best tennis of his career nearly making the final of the event. After adding a second trophy in Stuttgart, Tiafoe continued to exude confidence as he declared that he wants to win Wimbledon.
A Top 10 ranked player fancying himself to win a Grand Slam shouldn't be a huge surprise though he didn't really back it up on the courts. He started off well with some solid performances but he crashed out against Grigor Dimitrov, who in fairness, is a really strong grass player and has always been.
This was a really bad match. Horrible, horrible stuff. To play this poorly is very depressing, especially at Wimbledon. I genuinely think I am one of the best grass court players in the world but didn't show it at all. I have to live with that.- Tiafoe lamenting his poor showing
To his credit, Tiafoe didn't shy away from his comments doubling down on them but at some point, he needed to back them up. Perhaps, he will do that at the US Open which is the next Grand Slam in the calendar. Being on home soil should be a major boost but his thoughts are still on Wimbledon.
It will hurt for a very long time. I couldn't hit the room or make him play. It is tough to digest. I've never really felt like this after a loss. I'm shocked by how I performed. I played horrendously and it is unacceptable to get broken that many times on grass.
