Frances Tiafoe reveals ‘weird’ relationship with his coach after strong start at the Cincinnati Open

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Frances Tiafoe and coach David Witt seem to be relishing their new partnership together after a positive start to his native US hard-court swing.

Tiafoe joined forces with Witt after his stellar run to the third round of Wimbledon this year, which ended in a five-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz, the eventual champion.

The 26-year-old then opted to skip the Olympics in a bid to focus his efforts on the lead-up to the US Open and, with the help of his new coach, Tiafoe has come out the blocks strong at the Cincinnati Open this week.

Witt has had success with American stars in the past, notably as the long-serving coach of Venus Williams and, more recently, with WTA number six Jessica Pegula.

Frances Tiafoe finds laid back coach in time for US swing

Now, Witt has taken on the task of guiding Frances Tiafoe back into the top 10, and their partnership seems to be peaking at the right time.

The American opened up on the relationship he has forged with Witt after his straight-sets win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round of the Cincinnati Open.

“He [Witt] did an incredible job with Venus [Williams] and he did an unbelievable job with Jess [Pegula],” Tiafoe told Tennis Channel.

“He was open and I was looking for a while. Our personalities kind of fit – he’s super easy going, short information, but quality information and doesn’t try to over-coach.

“It’s been super easy right away, we’ve been getting along and having a great time. We’re both a little weird in a way with off-the-reel jokes and stuff like that.”

Tiafoe can go deep again at the US Open

The US Open occupies a very special place in Tiafoe’s heart.

Flushing Meadows is the site of his mesmerizing run to the 2022 semi-final, which ended in a five-set defeat to Alcaraz, but it wasn’t a one-off.

The American was able to dust himself off and bounce back 12 months later, when he glided through to the quarter-finals, only for Ben Shelton to announce himself on the big stage.

But after a dismal 2024 campaign that has seen Tiafoe slip from number 16 to 29 in the ATP rankings, Witt could provide the confidence boost that he needs to make another strong run in New York.