Much like he did at Wimbledon in 2024, Frances Tiafoe was forced to come through his opening match of the Australian Open in a five-set thriller against Arthur Rinderknech.
It looked to be a routine win for Tiafoe after a couple of sets with the American player taking them 7-6, 6-3. However, the Frenchman roared back in the next two, winning them 6-4, 7-6 to force a decider.
It was Tiafoe who showed his class and experience to prevail 6-3 in the decider and set up a contest against Hungarian player Fabian Marozsan which will take place on Wednesday.
Tennis in the USA looks to be back on the map once again. Tiafoe enjoyed a fierce US Open semi-final battle with Taylor Fritz last year and the likes of Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul have also enjoyed a positive 12 months.
Frances Tiafoe shares what people never say about Taylor Fritz
Tiafoe will be happy to progress to the second round in Melbourne. He will fancy going deep in the tournament and seeing how Fritz has performed over the last six months will motivate him.
After the match, he was asked about Fritz and he’s confessed that he doesn’t really focus too much on what his compatriot is doing, although he has claimed there is something that the 27-year-old does that never gets talked about.
He told his press conference: “I mean, to be honest with you, I don’t really care. I’m super happy for him. But his success and what he does, what all the other Americans do doesn’t, you know… We all push each other just naturally. It’s not something like, where, Man, I’m third American. Oh, man, what am I doing? I really don’t care.
“I want to be at the top of the game point blank, period. I don’t care what flag is in front of me. Seeing those guys do well, obviously you want them to continue. Like Fritz is 4 in the world. It’s incredible.
“It’s more respect that rather than be envious of it. Like, what does that do? You know what I mean? I’m just happy for that guy. Incredible.
“We got to play semis of the Open. He’s made a final now. He’s won the Masters Series. I mean, he’s doing really well. And so, you know, he’s a guy that if you want to do something special, you have to probably go through him now.
“It’s great just seeing all of us do well. I’m not really into American… I’m not the guy. But I mean, there could be other guys about that. But I just want to win a major, bro. I don’t really care what flag is in front of me. I want to win a major. If I got to beat all the American flags, then it is what it is. Ultimately I’m happy for him.
“What separates him is he’s done an unbelievable job with his movement. Couldn’t put one foot in front of the other growing up. Now he moves really well. He extends points often.
“He’s always had a good serve, always had a good forehand. He’s always been great for a stripe, but he’s moving really well. It was evident at the Open. And he’s one of the best competitors in the world. I don’t think people talk about how well he competes. He hates to lose.
“Days like today, he wins a lot of these type matches that I won today where he’ll die and doesn’t really care how it looks. So I have a lot of respect for that guy, for sure, ultimately.
Tiafoe needs to take heart from US Open run
This could prove to be a big year for Tiafoe on the ATP Tour. He knows that he is capable of even more and reaching the US Open semis last year should give him confidence.
Fritz is providing motivation for all of the American players right now. He’s dedicated himself to improving his game in recent months and he’s starting to see the rewards with the results he’s been getting.
Tiafoe is currently the world number 17 and having been number 10 previously, he ill want to push himself into contention for a return to that clutch of players during 2025.
The 26-year-old has time on his side to win the game’s big titles and performances like the one that saw him take Carlos Alcaraz all the way in the Wimbledon third round last year will be necessary more often than not.
Tiafoe has made some nice comments about Fritz but if they meet again in a Grand Slam semi-final in the future, he might not be quite so accommodating!
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