Frances Tiafoe reveals what Rafael Nadal was really like in the ATP locker room

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Rafael Nadal enjoyed a legendary career, becoming world number one and winning 22 Major titles.

The Spanish star dominated the sport alongside his ‘big three’ rivals, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, for almost 20 years.

Fans often saw Nadal produce his best tennis at the French Open, where he picked up a record 14 titles, winning 112 of his 116 matches at the event.

Having retired from tennis last year, the French Open honored Nadal ahead of the 2025 tournament, giving him a send-off fit for a legend.

Several active players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, were in attendance, although some were busy playing their first-round matches.

One of those players, Frances Tiafoe, has now shared his thoughts on the ceremony and revealed what Nadal was really like behind the scenes.

Frances Tiafoe says Rafael Nadal was nice to ‘everybody’ in the ATP locker room

During an interview with John Isner for the Bleacher Report, Tiafoe gave his verdict on Nadal’s farewell ceremony.

“I think he is this event,” said Tiafoe.

“The ceremony was absolute class. Unfortunately, I had to play during that time, but he is such a legend in every facet.”

Tiafoe then shared how well Nadal treated people in the ATP locker room throughout his tennis career.

“The way he went about it, the way he competed, how nice of a guy he was to everybody from the towel guys in the locker room to every opponent,” he said.

“It was unbelievable how he did it for 15 years.”

The American reflected on Nadal’s dominance at Roland Garros, explaining just how impressive his record of 14 titles is.

“Then what he meant for sports in general. I don’t think there is a tougher task than to beat him on this court [Philippe Chatrier],” said Tiafoe.

“I don’t think there is a better competitor in any sport than Rafa [Nadal].

“I was trying to explain to family members that if you played the French 14 times, you had an incredible career, so to win it 14 times. 

“I don’t know what record is harder than that.”

His dominance in Paris was clear to see, but that’s not to say Nadal didn’t enjoy success at the other three Grand Slams.

Nadal won multiple titles at all four Majors, completing two Career Grand Slams.

• Australian Open – 2 titles
• French Open – 14 titles
• Wimbledon – 2 titles
• US Open – 4 titles

Always a threat at the US Open, Nadal picked up four titles during his career, playing his final match at the event against Tiafoe in 2022.

The 27-year-old now explains what it was like facing off against Nadal on Arthur Ashe Stadium three years ago.

“It was awesome to share a court with him and be able to play him at the US Open,” said Tiafoe.

Frances Tiafoe beat Rafael Nadal in his last-ever match at the US Open

Before traveling to New York in 2022, Nadal and Tiafoe had played each other twice on the ATP Tour, with the former emerging victorious on both occasions.

• 2019 Madrid Open 3R – Rafael Nadal beat Frances Tiafoe, 6-3, 6-4
• 2019 Australian Open QF – Rafael Nadal beat Frances Tiafoe, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

Many were expecting Nadal to extend his head-to-head lead to 3-0 and maintain his impressive 2022 Grand Slam record, which had already seen him pick up titles in Melbourne and Paris.

Tiafoe, a US Open specialist, stood between Nadal and a place in the quarterfinals, as the pair battled it out in a thrilling fourth-round match.

Securing the first break of the match at 3-3, Tiafoe held on to the advantage, storming into a one-set lead against the 22-time Grand Slam winner.

It was Nadal who regained momentum in the second, however, breaking at 5-4, on Tiafoe’s serve to level things up at one set apiece.

Rising to the occasion in front of his home crowd, Tiafoe refused to give up, changing gears once again to win the third and fourth sets, 6-4, 6-3.

For the first time in his career, Tiafoe had beaten Nadal, as the Spaniard exited Arthur Ashe Stadium one final time.

Tiafoe went on to reach the semi-finals of the US Open in 2022, eventually coming up short against Alcaraz in five sets.

Perhaps the world number 16 can use the experience of his win over Nadal to his advantage when he returns to Flushing Meadows for the 2025 US Open, which begins on Sunday, August 24.