Tiafoe: "This year I played nervously, far from the level I am capable of"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 25 Sep 2025 | 10.15

Frances Tiafoe. Photo: Getty

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Despite his early and surprising defeat in his first match at the ATP Tokyo 2025 against Marton Fucsovics, Frances Tiafoe has experienced great moments so far this season, especially during the clay court swing with particular focus on the Roland Garros 2025 where he reached the quarterfinals.

The American, currently ranked 28th in the world in the ATP Rankings, continues to seek ways to turn this situation around and rediscover his best tennis level. Humble in his words and aware of the moment he is going through, Tiafoe expressed his current feelings with total sincerity.

How do you assess your season so far?

"Mediocre at best," Frances replied in an interview with Olympics. "I had very tough losses, struggled to string together matches like those three or four in a row that you need to stay at the top. And I also didn't have a couple of big results like I usually have every year. I have the opportunity to finish strong and achieve some things, but ultimately, it's been a year with many ups and downs."

"A year ago, I was a set away from reaching the final of the US Open. I think from there, you have to keep moving forward, I haven't been playing with enough hunger. You have to prove it week after week in tennis, and that's something I haven't been doing. This year I played nervous, not at the level I am capable of."

"If you want to be really good, you have to be obsessed"

"You can expect a different version, a version that yes, will be smiling, but will be there turning things around, and hopefully, that will take me where I want to be. I'm just trying to acquire good habits for next year. Next season, I want to have one of the best of my life, and I want to start now. I want to start playing well, being tough week after week.

I have to be consistent, show up, stay there for nine months, and see what happens. I have to be fully focused, no nonsense, let's see where it takes me. I have a window. The game is open, I have a window, I have the ability, and probably, the most important thing to being consistent is just to be obsessed. You have to be obsessed with it. If you want to be really good, you have to be obsessed with this, and that will take me far."

Bad streaks are not forever

"The most important thing about this sport is that I have control. That is the light at the end of the tunnel for me: where I want to be and where I am right now is my decision. I put myself in the position I am in. The most important thing when going through difficult times is to understand that it is temporary and not permanent."

The Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry

"There are a couple more players who need to join them. I'm not saying they will beat them, but there have to be others, and that motivates me. Novak doesn't count. He's 40 years old, I adore him, but he doesn't count. He's the GOAT, he's the best player of all time. He's not with them. Who are those other guys who could be there and maybe beat them?

Their styles are different, but the most important thing is the intensity, the speed at which they play. With Jannik, you know what you will get from him every day. Alcaraz is more like me, in terms of his more flamboyant talent or whatever it is, but still, his effort and what he brings is the same every day".

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Tiafoe: "Este año jugué nervioso, lejos del nivel que soy capaz"

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