“I haven’t been happy playing” – Frances Tiafoe rediscovered his swagger at Wimbledon, and is hungry for a big summer in the U.S.
Frances Tiafoe didn’t get the win on Friday at Wimbledon, but his experience at Wimbledon in 2024 has put wind in his sails
Frances Tiafoe Wimbledon 2024 | Imago / Panoramic
Frances Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz exchanged a heartfelt hug and words after their three hour and 50-minute tussle on Friday at Wimbledon. Afterwards, the American clued reporters in on some of the details of their discussion.
“Just ultimate respect,” he said. “Him just saying, ‘It’s good to see you play like that. Me just saying, ‘I can’t stand you.’
Jokes aside, Tiafoe has tons of respect for the three-time Grand Slam champion, even if the loss stings.
“I got a lot of respect for Carlos,” he adds.
Tiafoe also has a lot of hope and positive momentum after his performance in week one at Wimbledon. he entered the week with a 13-14 record for the season, having changed coaches twice and also suffering an injury to his right knee several weeks ago at Queen’s Club.
Though he exits on the heels of a difficult defeat, Tiafoe feels he made progress that will help him finish off his season in style.
“It was huge,” he said of Friday’s 5-7 6-2 4-6 7-6(2) 6-2 loss to Alcaraz. “It was huge for me to be in that environment again and play a match of such high quality. 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 had so much fun playing out there. I felt so comfortable. I really thought the match was there for me to take. I just take a lot of confidence from that. It’s something I needed.”
“I haven’t been happy playing”
Tiafoe admits that his struggles in 2024 have taken a toll on his psyche.
“I haven’t been happy playing,” he said. “It’s been really tough, so to be able to do that and compete like that at the highest level, that’s going to help me a lot for the summer swing and obviously going to the Open where I want to perform my best as well.”
At Wimbledon, where he completed his first ever comeback from two sets to love down against Matteo Arnaldi in the first round, it’s safe to say that Tiafoe rediscovered what makes him such a blinding talent when he’s switched on.
“I think I can take nothing but positives,” he said. “Going in, I wasn’t even sure of playing (due to suffering a Grade 1 MCL sprain to his right knee), and then I do what I did. So a lot of firsts. First time playing on Centre Court. First time coming back two sets to love. So I have those couple things in my bag.”
“Just understanding what competing does and just kind of get out of your own way and just battling and putting my whole game on display. I mean, just biggest thing I can take away is just enjoying the game and what that does for me. When I’m in that state, I play so much better, I play so much freer. That’s the biggest thing I can take. Hopefully I do that in the summer and maximize all the weeks I have going into the US Open.”
