US Open, Big Foe, Sierra Leone: Everything you always wanted to know about Frances Tiafoe (but never had time to find out) – updated after being fined for abusing chair umpire in Shanghai
Here are answers to some questions you may have about two-time US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe, who has also won three ATP singles titles to date
Francis Tiafoe at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Image Credit: AI/Reuters/Panoramic
Who is Frances Tiafoe?
Frances Tiafoe is a professional tennis player from the United States of America.
Why was Frances Tiafoe fined by ATP in 2024?
The ATP in November 2024 slapped Frances Tiafoe with a fine amounting to $120,000 for abusing chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote after losing to Roman Safiullin in the third round of the 2024 Shanghai Masters. Tiafoe was upset at Pinoargote for stripping him of a first serve due to a time violation during the match in October.
The American was told by the ATP to pay $60,000 for verbal abuse and an additional $60,000 for aggravated behaviour. This is reportedly the second-biggest fine handed to a player apart from the prize-money penalties.
what did Frances TIAFOE do at the 2024 us open?
Frances Tiafoe reached the semi-finals of the US Open, where he lost to fellow American Taylor Fritz 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Both players were bidding to become the first American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Andy Roddick in 2009 at Wimbledon.
This was Tiafoe’s second trip to the US Open semis. He also lost in five sets in his previous appearance — to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in 2022.
What did Tiafoe do in Cincinnati in 2024?
Frances Tiafoe made his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati in August 2024.
The run came off the back of a shaky season, with the American arriving in Cincinnati with a 19-18 win-loss record in 2024. However, he brought a high level in Ohio, defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (6-3, 7-6 (6)), Lorenzo Musetti (6-3, 6-2), Jiri Lehecka (6-4, 6-7 (10), 7-6 (5), Hubert Hurkacz (6-3 ret.) and Holger Rune (4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4)) to make the final. He saved two match points in his clash against Rune.
In the final, he faced world No 1 Jannik Sinner and have the Italian a good battle. The opening set went to a tiebreak, before Sinner pulled away, winning 7-6 (4), 6-2 to claim the title. It was the biggest match of Tiafoe’s career, with the 26-year-old labelling the week the “best of his career so far”.
What did Frances Tiafoe do in Houston in 2024?
Tiafoe played in the final of the Houston Open on Sunday, April 7, 2024 against fellow American Ben Shelton. It was the first-ever final on the ATP Tour contested by two African-American men.
Shelton won the match, claiming crucial breaks in the first and third sets to prevail 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 and win his second ATP title. For Tiafoe, he was attempting to defend the Houston title, which he won in 2023.
The loss sees Tiafoe slip to a losing record since last playing Shelton in the 2023 US Open quarter-finals.
What did Frances Tiafoe do at the 2023 US Open?
Frances Tiafoe reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 US Open but lost there to compatriot Ben Shelton 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2. He was very disappointed with his performance, saying afterwards, “I can’t keep having these matches in Slams.”
What did Frances Tiafoe do at the 2022 US Open?
Frances Tiafoe reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at the 2022 US Open. In the round of 16, he beat second seed Rafael Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. However, he lost in the semi-final to Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3.
What did Frances Tiafoe do at the 2023 Laver Cup?
Tiafoe made his fourth appearance at the Laver Cup this year, helping Team World to a 13-2 victory over Team Europe at the 2023 Laver Cup.
The American won six points for his team, winning in each of the three matches he contested. On day one, Tiafoe combined with Tommy Paul to take on Arthur Fils and Andrey Rublev in the final doubles match of the day, winning 6-3, 4-6, 10-6 in a match tiebreaker.
On day two, Frances Tiafoe defeated Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, before teaming up with Ben Shelton on the final day to seal Team World’s victory with a doubles win over Rublev and Hurkacz, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4).
How many ATP Tour titles has Frances Tiafoe won?
Three, as of November 16, 2024. Tiafoe won his first ATP singles title at Delray Beach in 2018. He won his second title in Houston on clay in April 2023. He then won in Stuttgart to join the small club of active male players who have won a title on every Tour surface.
He has also reached five other finals – two on hard courts and three on clay.
Has Frances Tiafoe played UTS?
The American made his UTS debut in 2023 with the UTS event in Los Angeles in July 2023. Tiafoe is known as ‘Big Foe’ and joined the likes of Taylor ‘The Hotshot’ Fritz, Ben ‘The Mountain’ Shelton, Diego ‘El Peque’ Schwartzman and Yibing ‘The Great Wall’ Wu.
Following Kyrgios’ withdrawal from the tournament due to injury, it was announced that ‘Big Foe’ would be coached by the Australian.
Where is Frances Tiafoe from?
Frances Tiafoe was born in Hyattsville, Maryland, in the United States of America.
How old is Frances Tiafoe?
Frances Tiafoe was born on January 20, 1998, making him currently 26 years old.
How tall is Frances Tiafoe?
According to his ATP profile, Frances Tiafoe is 6′ 2″ tall.
What is Frances Tiafoe’s career-high ranking?
Frances Tiafoe’s career-high ranking is No 10, which he achieved for the first time on June 19, 2023 after winning the Stuttgart title. You can find his current ranking and his rankings history on his ATP Tour profile page.
Who are Frances Tiafoe’s parents?
Frances Tiafoe’s parents are Frances Senior and Alphina. They moved from Sierra Leone to the USA in 1996. arents emigrated from Sierra Leone in 1996. Frances Senior was head of maintenance at Junior Tennis Champions Center in Maryland, where Frances and his twin brother Franklin trained as children.
What is Frances Tiafoe’s nickname?
Frances Tiafoe’s nickname is Big Foe.
Who is Frances Tiafoe’s coach?
Until recently, Frances Tiafoe’s coach was Argentinian Diego Moyano, who had previously worked with Kevin Anderson and Coco Gauff. However, he has made a switch this year to David Witt and Jordi Arconada.
Before that, he spent three years working with Wayne Ferreira, a South African former professional, who reached two Australian Open semi-finals in singles, and was once ranked as high as sixth in the world.
How much prize money has Frances Tiafoe won?
Frances Tiafoe has won more than $12.9 million in prize money so far in his career, as of November 16, 2024. You can find his current prize money stats on his ATP Tour profile page.
Is Frances Tiafoe on social media?
Yes, Frances Tiafoe is on social media. He is on Twitter and Instagram, and also has a Facebook page, although that is very rarely updated.
