Carlos Alcaraz says what his relationship with Frances Tiafoe is really like

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Carlos Alcaraz and Francis Tiafoe commented on their relationship off the court.

The pair are two of the brightest and most entertaining players to watch on the ATP Tour and they produced one of the matches of 2024 at the Wimbledon Championships.

The crowd are drawn to their exciting styles of play and they are two of the players set to lead men’s tennis into the future.

They treated the crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina to an entertaining exhibition contest on Friday, which will mark the pair’s final match of the year.

What is Carlos Alcaraz’s relationship like with Francis Tiafoe?

Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe‘s friendship has blossomed over the last several years. They have always spoken highly of each other and they are seen joking and laughing when they are together.

They have plenty of respect for what they can bring to the table, something Alcaraz alluded to when speaking to reporters about how he feels about Tiafoe.

“We hate each other,” Alcaraz joked while conducting his press conference before his exhibition match with Tiafoe in Charlotte.

“I’m kidding, I think we have a really good relationship off the court, when we play each other on court we have huge respect for each other, that’s great for tennis and for the competition.”

Tiafoe added: “I agree. We’ve had some great battles and we get along really well. He copies all the restaurants I go to.

“I run into him at restaurants once a tournament for sure, so that’s always pretty funny. It’s been great, he’s a hell of a player and will continue to be for a very long time.”

Carlos Alcaraz contested thrilling exhibition match against Frances Tiafoe

For the second time this week, Alcaraz was playing an exhibition in the United States.

He defeated Ben Shelton in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, before facing Tiafoe at the Charlotte Invitational on Friday. Alcaraz began the match well, winning the first set.

But Tiafoe, wearing a NBA Charlotte Hornets jersey for the home crowd, stormed back to win set two for the loss of just one game.

The deciding match tiebreak was close, but Tiafoe edged it and won 5-7, 6-1, 1-0 (11-9) to claim victory on home soil.

At the same event, Stephens and Keys played an exhibition match of their own, with Keys winning in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.