“The goal in 2023 is to go even further” – Tiafoe hungry after 2022 US Open run

Defeated in the semifinals of the 2022 US Open by Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe is determined to do better in Grand Slams in 2023

Frances Tiafoe at the 2022 US Open Image Credit: AI/ Reuters/ Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

December 3, 2022

He didn’t lift the trophy on the final Sunday, but Frances Tiafoe was one of the big revelations of the 2022 US Open. The American ignited the New York public during the fortnight, first by becoming the first player to defeat Rafael Nadal in a Grand Slam in 2022; then by making his way to the semifinals, a first for him at the Grand Slam level.

A favorite of the US Open crowd, the American finally lost to the eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz after an incredible fight in five sets. In the official ATP podcast, the 24-year-old Tiafoe spoke about his US Open run, one of the best of his career, and explained that his journey in New York was the best that had happened to him so far.

“It was tough because I really thought I was going to make it, but I think it’s the best thing for me not to have won it, honestly, because seeing how everyone reacted and all the things I was invited to without winning it, it gave me a little extra appetite. So in 2023, that’s the goal, to cross that line and go all the way,” Tiafoe said.

Tiafoe has kept his feet on the ground thanks to his parents

While he had reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam only once before this, at the 2019 Australian Open, Tiafoe revealed himself in front of his home crowd at the US Open. In the ATP podcast, the American explained that while this result had changed his life and led him to meet some very famous people, he was able to keep his feet on the ground thanks to his parents.

“The 2022 US Open changed my life a lot. During that time, there were a lot of people who didn’t really like tennis and became tennis fans, it was really cool. I was hanging out with people I never thought I’d hang out with, going to events, and sitting next to people I never thought I’d meet,” Tiafoe said.

“They were actually excited to meet me. But that was weird. Luckily, my parents and everyone around me told me not to deviate from the basics, because none of this would happen if I didn’t keep winning tennis matches.”

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