Frances Tiafoe has competed in numerous memorable matches at the US Open, but one particular moment from 2017 left a lasting impression on his confidence and career outlook. Despite later runs that included two semifinals appearances, it was a first-round match against Roger Federer that truly convinced him he could succeed financially as a professional tennis player. This year marks Tiafoe’s 11th time playing in the US Open, where he continues to pursue a historic breakthrough.
How the 2017 Clash with Federer Shaped Tiafoe’s Belief
During a candid conversation with WTA player Hailey Baptiste on the podcast Tour Tales, Tiafoe reflected on the moments early in his career when he began to realize his potential on the tennis circuit. Baptiste shared a similar story about her breakthrough by defeating Australian Open champion Madison Keys as a teenager. When the discussion shifted to Tiafoe, he described how facing Federer in the 2017 US Open first round was pivotal. Though he lost in five sets, taking Federer to a hard-fought 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 match as a 19-year-old made him feel he could compete with the best and earn a living from tennis.
Tiafoe: Bro. I don’t even know a specific moment. I mean, we were all arrogant. I mean everybody that we grew up with thought they were rough. I think that really helps it, I mean, and in the way I was going I felt like I was always going to be a pro. I didn’t know what I was going to be.
—Frances Tiafoe
Baptiste: I felt like in my head I always knew I was going to be a pro.
—Hailey Baptiste
Tiafoe: I was pretty confident, I’m going to make money playing tennis. What that looks like? I can’t give you that, but, I felt pretty confident that I’d make money. When I realised, when I lost to Roger Federer when I was 19.
—Frances Tiafoe
The exchange highlighted the confidence young athletes develop from challenging top players early on. For Tiafoe, the experience was not merely about the result but the realization that he belonged on tennis’s biggest stages.
Roger Federer’s Perspective on Tiafoe and the Next Generation
By 2017, Frances Tiafoe had broken into the top 100 rankings and was gaining recognition as a promising talent on the ATP Tour. Federer, having defeated Tiafoe in the US Open match, acknowledged the rising generation of players through the introduction of the Next Gen Finals, an event designed to showcase emerging stars. In his post-match press conference, Federer praised Tiafoe’s progress and expressed hope for sustained competition from this younger cohort on the ATP Tour.
I think it’s a great initiative, the NextGen. Frances has done well, as well, this year,
Federer said.
Moved up the rankings. Got a taste of Arthur Ashe, how it is to play against top players. He’s only going to learn from a match like this and become better.
But obviously our generation also was very strong. We went on to become, many of us, top five players. I wish the same for them.
—Roger Federer
Though Tiafoe has yet to reach the top five, he achieved a career-high ranking of number 10, reinforcing Federer’s belief in his potential and the strength of his generation.
Looking Ahead: Tiafoe’s Continued Pursuit at the US Open
As Frances Tiafoe heads into his 11th appearance at the US Open, the reflections on his 2017 match against Federer serve as a reminder of how formative moments can shape an athlete’s mindset. His prior semifinals appearances, including a hard-fought loss to compatriot Taylor Fritz last year, demonstrate his steady progression. With the experience and confidence gained over the years, Tiafoe aims to build on those performances and further advance at this prestigious tournament.
This persistence not only highlights his growth but also signals to the tennis world that he remains a serious contender poised to make an impact among the sport’s elite players.