'I Shouldn't Be Here' Tiafoe And His Father Emotionally Speak About His Childhood
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Frances Tiafoe and his father gave some details about his life growing up during an emotional interview the pair did together.
Tiafoe had a mixed 2024 season. The 26-year-old reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the Cincinnati Open, losing to the world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, and also made a second US Open semifinal to complete an impressive North American hardcourt swing.
Although he performed impressively, Tiafoe's loss in the US Open semifinal to Taylor Fritz was brutal. He led his compatriot by two sets to one but ran out of steam after losing the fourth and missed out on the final.
Aside from a run to the final on clay at the Houston Open in April, Tiafoe's results were not at the level he would expect throughout the rest of 2024. He was also involved in a massive controversy at the Shanghai Masters.
After being given a time violation by an umpire at 5-5 in the deciding set tiebreak, which cost him a first serve, Tiafoe lost the next two points and the match. That led to him repeatedly shouting "F**K YOU!" at the umpire afterward.
Tiafoe avoided a suspension because he apologized swiftly after the match and only received a fine. The two-time US Open semifinalist might count himself slightly fortunate since his tirade at the umpire was so aggressive.
Carlos Alcaraz played Tiafoe in an exhibition match earlier this month in Charlotte. The American produced inspired tennis to defeat the four-time Grand Slam champion in front of his home fans.
Tiafoe and Alcaraz have agreed to play another exhibition in Puerto Rico in March. Local hero and 2016 Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig will present the event, which is sure to attract a significant crowd of excited fans.
Although many have high expectations of Tiafoe, it is pivotal to remember that playing exhibitions with Alcaraz and everything else he has achieved is incredibly impressive, considering his humble background.
Tiafoe's brand partner, Yonex, recently interviewed him and his father, Constant Tiafoe. Constant remembers building a tennis academy as a construction worker and getting a job afterwards, which is how his son started playing the sport.
"I said OK, if I come here maybe it'll be better than back there... I worked in construction to build a tennis academy. I didn't know anything about tennis. After we finished, then they gave me a job."
"I was like a maintenance guy. When I started working at the job, it was a big problem because I couldn’t pay for babysitting so I had to bring the kids to work. It was an automatic thing, they just have to play tennis because that's all you see, so you got to be good at it."
Constant recounted how other parents came to him, describing how good Frances was and that he seemed more invested than other kids who were playing for fun.
Believe it or not, the parents of other kids, they came to me and said, Listen, your son is playing some serious tennis. He was constantly hitting the ball against the wall. While the other kids play around, he was just hitting the ball against the wall all the time. I pretty much played him when he was 9. And I lost. So from that point on, I decided to leave him alone."
Frances feels blessed to have found something he loves that has allowed him to provide for his family. He knows few players from such modest backgrounds make it as professionals.
“I just loved the game of tennis. I loved how the ball sounded off the strings. I loved watching tennis . I loved the idea that you have to make a decision in two seconds. I remember when I was 11, I told my pops: "I think I'm going to be a pro." He was like, "Let's get through tomorrow. He never really liked when people say I'm talented because it's the work."
“I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be doing a lot of things I've done. People'll be screaming my name and wanting to be like me . I don't take those things for granted . Tennis is definitely a gift."
"I'm still writing the story so I got a lot more things I want to do, but tennis is definitely a gift. I've been able to take care of my family so I've been a blessed dude."
