A group of top ATP stars, including Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, recently named Frances Tiafoe as the player they would least trust to call in an emergency. During a playful interview shared by the BBC’s official X account, the group was asked which player they would not rely on in a serious situation, and all pointed to Tiafoe, citing concerns about his seriousness and dependability.

Reilly Opelka was straightforward about his doubts, stating,

“He wouldn’t answer. He wouldn’t find me. He wouldn’t know what to do.”

Despite their friendship, Taylor Fritz openly admitted,

“I love Frances, by the way, but I would never trust him with something serious.”

Jack Draper, a rising British talent, shared a similar sentiment, emphasizing that while he enjoys Tiafoe’s company, he feels Tiafoe would not take responsibility seriously:

“I don’t think he’s serious about getting the job done. Whatever we needed, he’d be having a laugh… We wouldn’t be able to look at each other without laughing.”

Ben Shelton was even more explicit, saying,

“He’d be the last person I’d call for anything I needed. Can’t hold him accountable for anything. He’s not going to answer the phone. It may take a couple of months.”

In a revealing detail, Fritz explained a way to prompt Tiafoe to respond:

“Unless I mention that I’m in DC or going to DC, then he might respond, so you could probably trick him into getting a response,”

highlighting Tiafoe’s selective attentiveness.

When confronted with these opinions, Tiafoe appeared amused, laughing at the scenario and calling it crazy.

Current Form of Fritz, Shelton, and Tiafoe During the 2025 Grass Season Ahead of Wimbledon

This grass-court season has unfolded with varying success for Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe. Fritz started strongly, capturing his first title of 2025 at Stuttgart without dropping a set, including a commanding victory over Alexander Zverev in the final. However, his progress was abruptly interrupted at Queen’s, where he was unexpectedly defeated in the first round by Corentin Moutet. After receiving a bye to enter the second round at Eastbourne, Fritz will next face the promising Brazilian Joao Fonseca.

Similarly, Ben Shelton showed promise, reaching the semifinals in Stuttgart before losing to Zverev. Shelton’s form wavered at Queen’s with a first-round exit against Arthur Rinderknech. He is now preparing to play in Mallorca, where he holds a first-round bye and will take on Learner Tien in the second round.

Frances Tiafoe has encountered a difficult patch this season, posting a 17–14 win-loss record. His grass-court results have been particularly disappointing, highlighted by an early loss to Britain’s Dan Evans at Queen’s.

Implications of Tiafoe’s Emergency Trust Reputation and Season Performance

The lighthearted yet pointed remarks from peers like Fritz and Shelton reveal a side of Frances Tiafoe that affects his reputation off the court, especially concerning Frances Tiafoe emergency trust among fellow players. While his skill on the court remains notable, this collective view from other ATP stars suggests a perceived lack of seriousness and accountability in critical moments.

With Wimbledon approaching, the contrasting form between Fritz and Shelton, who have both shown solid performances on grass, and Tiafoe’s struggles raise questions about how he will respond on one of tennis’s biggest stages. This dynamic adds an extra layer of tension to the upcoming tournaments, as fans and competitors alike watch to see if Tiafoe can overcome both on-court challenges and the limited trust of his peers in more personal or urgent situations.