Frances Tiafoe possesses a unique personality that complements his playing style, which entertains tennis fans in his native United States and worldwide.
The American's journey to becoming a professional tennis player is one of the most inspiring in the sport. There are several interesting facts about him, and this article names the most compelling of these.
Tiafoe was born in Hyattsville, Maryland, United States. He is 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) tall and weighs approximately 86 kg (190 lbs). Tiafoe currently resides in Orlando, Florida.
When did Frances Tiafoe start playing tennis?
Tiafoe began playing tennis against a wall at age 3. He did this while living in a spare office at the Junior Tennis Champions Center with his father, Constant (better known as Frances Sr), who immigrated to the United States from Sierra Leone in 1993. Tiafoe's mother, Alphina, joined him in 1996 to flee the civil war in Sierra Leone and worked as a nurse.
Frances trained at the Champions Center and bypassed the fees most paid. Misha Kuznetsov trained Tiafoe for nine years from the age of eight until he eventually began working at the USTA National Training Center in Boca Raton, Florida.
Does Frances Tiafoe have any siblings?
Tiafoe has a twin brother named Franklin. He played at the Champions Center alongside Frances. Although he did not possess the natural talent of his brother, Franklin went on to play high school and college tennis.
What experience changed Frances Tiafoe's life?
At age 8, Tiafoe visited Sierra Leone with his mother and twin brother. The experience profoundly altered the tennis star's outlook on life, making him appreciate everything and not take anything for granted.
Who was Frances Tiafoe's idol?
2009 US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro, who
officially retired from tennis in 2024 with an exhibition against Novak Djokovic, was Tiafoe's childhood idol. The American defeated him en route to his maiden ATP title at the 2018 Delray Beach Open.
What is Frances Tiafoe's favorite shot?
Although Tiafoe possesses an impressive backhand (historically a weak shot for many American players) and a powerful serve, his favorite shot is the forehand. He usually hits it with a lot of spin, but can also flatten it out.
What is Frances Tiafoe's favorite tournament?
The Indian Wells Open, a tournament loved by many players from the ATP and WTA Tours, is Tiafoe's favorite event. He reached the semifinal in 2023, losing to Daniil Medvedev.
Has Frances Tiafoe won a Grand Slam?
Tiafoe has yet to win a Grand Slam or make a final, but he came agonizingly close in semifinal appearances at the 2022 and 2024 iterations of the US Open. Carlos Alcaraz beat him in five sets, and Taylor Fritz did the same two years later, despite Tiafoe holding a two-set-to-one lead.
How many titles has Frances Tiafoe won?
To date, Tiafoe has secured three titles: the 2018 Delray Beach Open, the 2023 Houston Open, and the 2023 Stuttgart Open. He was the runner-up at seven other tournaments, including the ATP 500 events at the 2021 Vienna Open and 2023 Japan Open.
What is Frances Tiafoe's highest ranking?
Tiafoe's highest ranking of No. 10 was achieved on June 19th, 2023, the day after winning his third career title in Stuttgart.
Has Frances Tiafoe won any awards?
Tiafoe claimed the 2020 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, an accolade given to those who represent the spirit of tennis legend Ashe by showing strength, courage, and a willingness to stand up for one's beliefs regardless of the consequences.
What are Frances Tiafoe's hobbies?
The multiple-time US Open semifinalist enjoys going to the cinema and watching basketball and American football. He is a huge fan of basketball players LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal.
What sports teams does Frances Tiafoe support?
Tiafoe has mentioned that he supports three teams across three different sports: the Washington Wizards (basketball), the Washington Commanders (American football), and the Washington Capitals (ice hockey).
Who is Frances Tiafoe's girlfriend?
Ayan Broomfield and Tiafoe have dated since 2015. Broomfield reached a career-high WTA ranking of No. 680 before deciding to play college tennis at Clemson University and the University of California.
How does Frances Tiafoe know Taylor Swift?
Tiafoe and Broomfield created headlines when they
socialized with Taylor Swift and her NFL-playing boyfriend, Travis Kelce, at a Kansas City Chiefs game. Swift's humility despite her fame was praised by Tiafoe when he spoke about her and Kelce afterward.
Is Frances Tiafoe charitable?
After coming from humble beginnings, Tiafoe has made concerted efforts to support others in achieving their dreams. He is an ambassador for ThanksUSA and USTA's National Junior Tennis and Learning.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiafoe helped the benefit Center for Disaster Philanthropy by auctioning off signed memorabilia and gave back to the Junior Tennis Champions Center
with a $50,000 donation in 2024.