‘I will win this thing’: Frances Tiafoe vows after US Open defeat

An emotional Frances Tiafoe promised to sooner or later hoist the US Open trophy after his Cinderella story got here to a untimely finish on Friday with a semi-final loss to Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz.

Tiafoe’s compelling again story and sensational run in New York, together with his fourth-round upset of 23-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal, made him the discuss of the match.

Big perception from Big Foe. pic.twitter.com/fbMKQdxDSg

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2022

“I gave everything I had these past two weeks,” he informed a supportive sold-out crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I got here right here desirous to win a US Open and I really feel like I allow you to guys down. This one actually, actually hurts. Too good from Carlos.

“I am going to come back and I will win this thing one day.”

.@FTiafoe’s response on @MichelleObama watching his match is every little thing 😂 pic.twitter.com/H0myQuI4r4

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2022

Despite the frustration, Tiafoe stated he’ll stroll away from Flushing Meadows with a brand new sense of confidence.

“I proved that I can play with the best and I’m capable of winning Grand Slams,” he informed reporters.

The 24-year-old has carried the load of monumental expectations all through his profession, successful his sole ATP title in Delray in early 2018 earlier than beautiful the Australian Open discipline to achieve the quarter-finals roughly a 12 months later.

We love you, @FTiafoe 💙 pic.twitter.com/mH966361tk

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2022

He then struggled for some time however bounced again to achieve the US Open fourth spherical in 2020 and made his deepest run at a Grand Slam but this 12 months.

“Through my career I’ve been pretty sporadic. Playing well, veering off for a while,” he stated.

“I’ve all the time backed myself in opposition to the very best gamers on this planet. I’m doing it on a constant foundation, beginning to beat guys extra readily.

“Ready to take the next step.”

Becoming the coed of the sport that he was in his youth when he and his twin brother lived part-time at a tennis middle in Maryland the place their father labored as an on-site caretaker has additionally paid off.

“I’m definitely falling in love with the process and doing the work much more. I’m working smarter,” he stated.

He can be coping along with his newfound celeb after he got here inside two wins of breaking a 19-year Grand Slam drought by a U.S. male participant. He can be the primary Black American man to achieve the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows since Arthur Ashe in 1972.

Former first girl Michelle Obama was amongst these backing Tiafoe from the packed stands of the stadium named after the late Hall of Famer on Friday night time.

When he first seen her he was so shocked that he shanked a service return.

“Seeing her there was crazy … we all know what she means,” he stated, including that he met along with her afterwards.
“I’ve seen her before, but it’s a little bit different circumstance. She sees me and she’s actually excited to see me. Unbelievable night.”

The 12 months’s remaining main served as an attractive preview of the way forward for the game, with contemporary faces like Tiafoe, the 19-year-old Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner able to step out of the shadow of the Big Three.

“Obviously I would have loved to win tonight,” Tiafoe stated.

“But I think tennis won tonight.”