Tiafoe: "This match against Fritz will not be, by far, like the previous ones"

Mónica Barberán Munera | 4 Sep 2024 | 08.06

Frances Tiafoe at the US Open 2024. Photo: Getty.

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Frances Tiafoe will once again reach the semis at the US Open, a man who enjoys playing at home and being supported by his people. The American will face Taylor Fritz for a spot in the big final, but he will need the magic of Arthur Ashe to defeat his compatriot, whom he has only beaten once. However, everything will be different this time as Tiafoe himself confessed at the press conference. This is how Frances values his journey so far and his relationship with Fritz.

- When did you start believing it was possible?

“I came here feeling very good, it helps to come to a place where you have had quite some success. I wasn't thinking about reaching the semifinal or winning the tournament. Only when I saw the draw, I thought: 'well, I have to play against Ben.' I'm not as much of a favorite as before, so I don't know where I'm going to stand. Once I got past that, the draw changed and then I asked myself: ‘why not?’.

- One of them will be the first American finalist since 2009

“Taylor, Tommy, Reilly, and I have been talking about this for years, that this is the group. I think we've all been knocking on the door. Taylor entered and exited the top 10 last year around this time, Tommy also near the quarters, playing very well. It's just a matter of time; the game is very open. It's not like before where you reached the quarterfinals, played against Rafa, and you were already looking at flights. That was the reality, but now it's completely different, no one is invincible, and especially later on when players are more tired”.

- About how Fritz was when he was young

“When I met Taylor, he was a somewhat strange and different guy. I didn't think he would do what he did. He transformed his body incredibly and has a lot of talent. He used to play tennis a couple of times a week, had a court at his house. He was a normal kid, and then he started dedicating more time. It was a lot of fun when we were younger. As we got closer, seeing how committed he was, once we all turned pro, we pushed each other to want to be great. No one wanted to be left behind. It has been something special to be a part of”.

- Fritz leads the H2H 6-1

“It's different at Arthur Ashe. I have to learn and I believe in a couple of those matches I should have won. He's a very tough player, plays very well from both sides, has a great serve, and now moves much better. It will be difficult and a very important match for both, playing for a final. None of those matches come close to what this one will be”.

- Two very different personalities

“In terms of personalities, we are extremes. He is more into video games and not leaving the room, I am louder. That's why we like each other because we are completely different, and that's why we get along. As competitors, we are very similar; we hate losing. It's great and fun to see how our relationship has evolved. One day we had a conversation about being the number 1 and 2 in the US, he said to me: ‘brother, I think you and I are going to be the top 1 or 2 Americans and we're going to lead the way’. He has that mindset and has pushed me a lot. Now it's great that we can compete in such an important match. I'm happy for him, and I know he is for me”.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Tiafoe: "Este partido contra Fritz no será, ni de lejos, como los anteriores"