Frances Tiafoe responds when asked if he and other ATP stars would refuse to play the US Open for more prize money

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The pursuit of greater prize money in tennis continues to be a major topic of discussion.

Earlier this year, the Professional Tennis Players Association [PTPA] launched a significant claim against the tennis tours.

The PTPA asked for several changes to the sport, perhaps none more significant than a greater distribution of prize money.

Shortly after, the top 20 players in men’s and women’s tennis sent a letter to the four Grand Slams, demanding a ‘substantial increase’ in prize money at the events.

One of the ATP Tour’s most outspoken stars has now been asked just how far he and others would be willing to go to make change happen.

Frances Tiafoe says he wouldn’t ‘trust’ other ATP players to boycott US Open for more prize money

Appearing as a guest on the Changeover podcast, Frances Tiafoe was asked whether he’d join his fellow ATP stars in a hypothetical boycott of the US Open in a bid for changes such as an increase in prize money.

“The problem is, though, and you need the best players in the world to do it, the problem is, though, I just don’t trust these guys out here,” said Tiafoe.

“I feel like they’re fake.

“Everyone would be like, oh, yeah, [in] the meeting before, yeah, man, screw this, man, f— this, man.

“I ain’t playing, like, we all need money. It’s about the tour, it’s about the next generation, this and that.

“Next day, you see everybody tying their shoes, over there doing bands and all that.

“You don’t know who’s really about it or not, because you say it, and then you —– around and pull out, and then all these dudes stayed in.”

Tiafoe believes it will be tricky to make change happen until players get on the ‘same page’.

“That’s how I feel about the PTPA and the lawsuits, it’s like, it’s cool and whatever, and you know, those guys who are in support of it, or behind it, I’m sure are trying to do good things for the game,” he said.

“But until we get real unity, and everyone’s really on the same page, for me personally, it doesn’t really move the needle.”

Frances Tiafoe’s remarkable record at the US Open

It would likely be hard for Tiafoe to agree not to take part at Flushing Meadows, considering his previous successes at the US Open.

Twice, the 27-year-old has reached the last four in New York, his most successful Grand Slam tournament, by quite some distance.

In 2024, Tiafoe lost to Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals of the US Open, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, narrowly missing out on a place in his first Major final.

Some have, however, expressed concerns over his level at the event compared to others, as Jon Wertheim questioned whether Tiafoe puts ‘too much emphasis’ on the US Open, in a discussion with Andy Roddick last year.

The American is yet to truly get going in 2025, potentially proving Wertheim correct.

How has Frances Tiafoe performed so far in 2025?

Approaching the end of April, Tiafoe has accumulated just 500 points on the ATP Tour, fewer than 46 other players in men’s tennis.

Tiafoe has had real issue stringing wins together this year, often winning just a singular match at a tournament before falling to defeat.

• 2025 Barcelona Open – 0-1
• 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters – 1-1
• 2025 Houston Open – 3-1
• 2025 Miami Open – 1-1
• 2025 Indian Wells – 1-1
• 2025 Mexican Open – 1-1
• 2025 Dallas Open – 1-1
• 2025 Australian Open – 1-1
• 2025 Brisbane International – 1-1

He enjoyed his best week this year in Houston, when Tiafoe lost to Jenson Brooksby in the final of the US Men’s Clay Court Championships.

Tiafoe will hope to enjoy another strong showing on the clay at this week’s Madrid Open tournament.

The American will take to the court against Luciano Darderi in the second round on Saturday, April 27.