Tiafoe flips his 2024 upside down: 'I couldn't be happier'
Nobody likes losing tennis matches. But despite falling to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Cincinnati Open final, Frances Tiafoe was thrilled with his week at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
“Insanely happy for the effort I had all week. Tennis is a funny sport, man. It’s been a really tough year,” Tiafoe said. “Since post-US Open honestly, since I made the quarters there last year, I’ve struggled to put matches together, taking the game for granted, not having much gratitude. [I] changed coaches, [was] trying to just figure myself out. [I am] in a great situation now, and to be able to make a final in a Masters series, a chance to win it, I couldn’t be happier.”
This was the first time the American reached the final of an ATP Masters 1000 event. He defeated plenty of tough opponents, including Paris Olympics bronze medalist and Wimbledon semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti, and former World No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings Holger Rune.
“It doesn’t really shock me or anything that I played tight with the best players in the world. I think I’ve beaten the best players in the world. I’ve played insanely tight matches with the best players in the world,” Tiafoe said. “More [the] thing that stood out to me is beating Musetti, who’s had an insane season, and then backing it up and beating Lehecka and beating Rune in a tough match.”
This was Tiafoe’s second final of the year after making the championship match in Houston. He is now back in the Top 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings after falling from the elite group in March.
“Sucked being outside of Top 20. I’ve been in Top 20 for a couple years now. So yeah, that’s a great sign,” Tiafoe said. “And now I can just kind of keep going and keep pushing and try to get back to where I need to be in the top of the game. I think I’m one of the better players in the world, but definitely wasn’t playing like that for a lot of the year. So happy I am now.”
Tiafoe arrived in Cincinnati with a 19-18 record in 2024. But he was able to find his best tennis to earn the best Masters 1000 result of his career.
“I just think the depth in tennis is a joke right now. I think anybody can clip anybody. If you’re not ready to go, you’re going to get clipped. And it showed for me,” Tiafoe said. “You’re taking the game for granted, you’re not sharp, you know you may have something going on, you’re not fully present, someone will beat you.”
[ATP APP]The American pointed to Jiri Lehecka defeating Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz falling to Gael Monfils in Cincinnati as examples.
“If you’re not sharp, you’re just going to lose,” Tiafoe said. “It’s a good and bad thing. I think, obviously, you guys want to see the top players play on the weekends. But at the same time, it’s great for the game of tennis. There are so many good players that can win. Fans get to know new, new people, new players. So it’s great.”
Historically this has been the period of the season when Tiafoe shines brightest. Two years ago he advanced to his first major semi-final at the US Open and last year the home favourite made the quarter-finals.
“The ball kind of starts making sense for me in August. I always play really well during this time,” Tiafoe said. “I love playing in America. I love the US Open. So I always want to be at my best going into that time. And if this is any indication of playing great tennis it looks like the US Open’s going to be a good one.”
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