Frances Tiafoe claims he’s doing something no other player is at the French Open and it’s causing real ‘panic’

Follow us on Google Discover

Frances Tiafoe has continued his impressive run at the French Open to reach the quarter-finals.

Tiafoe had a mixed clay court season coming into the French Open, reaching the final in Houston before suffering early losses in Monte Carlo, Rome and Hamburg.

Prior to the tournament even starting, Tiafoe admitted he broke a racket in practice after being unhappy with the way that he was playing.

However, after making some adjustments to his game Tiafoe is enjoying the French Open more than ever before.

Frances Tiafoe claims he is doing something no other player is at the French Open

Tiafoe beat Daniel Altmaier, 6-4 6-4 7-6(4), to reach the French Open quarter-finals for the first time in his career.

The 27-year-old is still yet to drop a set in Paris and was noticeably trying to come to the net against Altmaier.

This tactic worked to great effect for Tiafoe, who won 30 of the 37 points when he approached the net in his fourth round French Open match.

When Tiafoe was asked about why he decided to come into the net more on clay, the world number 16 suggested that he wanted to catch his opponents off-guard.

“I think nobody does it. Everybody is expecting you to hold back and do it,” Tiafoe said when on the TNT Sports desk. “All of a sudden I was like grass court season is right around the corner so I am just going to start prepping for that. But it’s working! Guys kind of panic like why is this guy coming in on clay? Why am I feeling so rushed on clay?

“Since nobody really comes in any more because everyone hits the ball so pure from the back, people don’t pass that great, especially if you can stick the first volley. It has been working and believe me I am going to keep coming!”

After explaining the reasoning behind his strategy, it may not be as much of a surprise to Tiafoe’s next opponent, Lorenzo Musetti.

Frances Tiafoe vs Lorenzo Musetti Head-to-head

Musetti has impressed on clay in 2025, highlighted by his run to the final of the Monte Carlo Masters.

This has enabled the Italian to climb into the top 10 of the ATP rankings, but it is actually Tiafoe who leads the head-to-head over Musetti.

The American has won three of their five previous meetings on the main tour, but Musetti won their only previous encounter on clay.

Cincinnati hosted the most recent meeting between the pair last year, which Tiafoe comfortably won in straight sets.

Tiafoe and Musetti will go head-to-head once again on Tuesday, June 3, with the winner progressing to their first ever semi-final at the French Open.