Frances Tiafoe, currently in his preferred part of the tennis year during the North American hard court season, expressed criticism regarding the scheduling of the upcoming ATP Canadian Open. The 27-year-old American, known for his strong performances in front of home crowds, is preparing to compete in the Toronto Masters 1000 tournament. However, Tiafoe highlighted his dissatisfaction with the decision to hold the tournament final on a Thursday, calling it “garbage.”
The Canadian Open has recently adjusted its format from a traditional seven-day event to a lengthier 12-day schedule, aligning with other Masters 1000 tournaments that now span between 10 and 14 days. Despite this extension, the final is set for August 7, which falls unusually midweek, a rare occurrence on the ATP Tour that has caught Tiafoe’s attention and critique.
It is what it is. I like that it’s a bit shorter than Madrid, Rome. Weird because the final is on a Thursday. That’s garbage,
Tiafoe told reporters.
Nevertheless, Tiafoe remains optimistic about the tournament. He emphasized his affection for Toronto, a city that holds personal significance since his girlfriend is from there and many of his league friends reside locally, which adds to his enthusiasm.
He added,
“I love the city of Toronto. My girlfriend’s from there. Then I’ve got a lot of friends in the league from there, so I’m going to be set up, have a good time.”
Considering the demanding nature of 10-day events, Tiafoe highlighted logistical advantages of playing close to home. Being near the United States means a quick return is possible if any issues arise, easing some of the challenges associated with competing abroad.
It’s not like when I’m stuck in Europe and playing on red clay and people speaking different languages and s—. It’s better to kind of be in the States, so for sure, I’m really happy. Hopefully put up some good results going into the Open. That’s kind of what matters.
Tiafoe Ends Citi Open Run After Loss to Friend and Rival Ben Shelton
Frances Tiafoe concluded his participation in the Citi Open following a loss to compatriot Ben Shelton, who has proven to be a challenging opponent for Tiafoe this season. Shelton secured a straight-set victory with scores of 7-6, 6-4, marking his third win in four encounters against Tiafoe. His strong serve performance, winning 67% of first serve points, was a key factor in the match outcome.
Shelton has reached consecutive semi-finals in Washington D.C., further solidifying his rising status, and will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for a place in the upcoming tournament final.
We know tennis is a long journey. We’re going to play each other a bunch of times,
Shelton reflected after the match.
Especially, we’ve already played on hard courts, we’ve already played twice at the US Open, and he beat me the most recent time. It’s tough not to cheer for a guy like that.
Implications for Tiafoe as He Prepares for the Canadian Open
With his Citi Open journey over, Frances Tiafoe’s focus now shifts fully to the Canadian Open in Toronto, where he aims to capitalize on his familiarity with the location and strong local support. Despite his public frustration with the tournament’s final being set on a weekday, Tiafoe’s confidence and appreciation for the city remain high.
His proximity to home and supportive network should provide important comfort as he tackles the extended nature of Masters 1000 events. Tiafoe’s recent performances and readiness suggest he is determined to deliver strong results at the Canadian Open as a lead-up to the US Open, where he has previously made two semi-final appearances.