Frances Tiafoe says what is absolutely ‘horrendous’ on the ATP Tour in every tournament but the US Open

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Frances Tiafoe has struggled to find any consistent form in 2025 and has reached just one quarterfinal this season.

The 27-year-old began the year with a disappointing second-round exit at the Australian Open.

Second-round defeats became a theme over the coming months, as Tiafoe held an underwhelming 4-4 record across his next four tournaments.

Bouncing back in Houston, Tiafoe reached his first final of the season, coming up short against fellow American Jenson Brooksby.

Unable to carry that momentum forward, Tiafoe won just four of his next nine matches ahead of the French Open.

Speaking before his first round match in Paris, the world number 15 has revealed what he finds ‘horrendous’ on the ATP Tour at every event bar the US Open.

Frances Tiafoe says tennis balls are ‘horrendous’ at every tournament except the US Open

During his pre-tournament press conference, Tiafoe was asked for his thoughts on the tennis balls used on the ATP Tour after several players made complaints recently.

“I think that’s an excuse,” he said.

“I think all of the balls are horrendous, other than the US Open balls, to be honest with you.

“I don’t really care, I’m not a balls guy, all I do know is that the balls at the US Open feel unbelievable, for whatever reason, that’s the only ball I really like.

“But I don’t really notice it that much, it’s not like I lose a match, and I’m like ‘Oh my god, the balls’. The other guy plays with the same balls too, so what’s the difference?

“Tennis players are not afraid to make excuses. At the end of the day, are things going to change? No. Are we going to have just one ball on tour? Probably not in my career. Just play. The other guy is playing with them too, it’s not really important.”

World number three Alexander Zverev said the balls were a ‘joke’ recently, after losing to Lorenzo Musetti at the Italian Open.

“Balls were a joke today,” said Zverev.

“Generally speaking, this is a subject we’ve had over the last three, four years now. Players are talking about it all the time. They say we play with the same ball in Monaco, Madrid, Munich.

“Then we come here and the ball is totally different. The ball is very, very big. It’s very difficult to hit winners here. It’s just how it is these days.

“For me, for my game style, today was not easy because at the end of the day I’m still somebody that tries to play aggressive.”

Looking past the tennis ball ‘controversy’ Tiafoe assessed his level going into the French Open.

“I feel like I can beat anybody on any specific day, I’ve just got to get myself in alignment mentally, and just have fun,” he said.

“Last tournament on clay, which I get really excited about, then we get on the real stuff, the grass and then the summer hardcourts, where tennis actually matters.”

“No matter what I’m ranked, I feel like I’m one of the best players out here. Period.”

Which Grand Slam tournament has Frances Tiafoe performed best at during his tennis career?

Tiafoe hinted at his love for the US Open when he said that’s when ‘tennis actually matters’, but how has he actually performed at the four Grand Slam events?

The 27-year-old has enjoyed the majority of his success at Flushing Meadows, reaching the semi-finals on two occasions (2022 and 2024).

At Roland Garros, Tiafoe has won just four career matches, all four of which have come since 2022.

The American will no doubt hope to improve upon his record in 2025, when he takes on Roman Safiullin in the first round.

Tiafoe and Safiullin have played once before on the ATP Tour, at the 2024 Shanghai Masters, when the Russian advanced to the last 16 with a tight three-set win.

Furious with a time violation given to him at 5-5 in the deciding set tiebreaker, the American unloaded on the umpire after the match.

Tiafoe was fined $120,000 for his behavior in Shanghai, as he’ll no doubt hope to have better control of his emotions when he takes on Safiullin for a second time.

Safiullin and Tiafoe will face off for a place in the second round of the French Open on Sunday, May 25.