US OPEN

August 25, 2025

Frances Tiafoe

Press Conference

F. TIAFOE/Y. Nishioka

6-3, 7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Frances, congratulations. If you would, your thoughts on the match today.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, happy with it. Second set was huge. I thought it was, I mean, big for the whole match. Obviously, after that you could see he kind of lost belief in it. Then I kind of took it from there, but a little up and down for me.

But yeah, just happy. I'm feeling better. Last match I had to retire, and I don't normally retire, so it was a little weird playing a match after that.

Happy I turned up and I moved great and played all right today. Happy to get done in straights.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You lead the head-to-head against Nishioka. But the last two matches he did win them. What's difficult about facing him, and what do you think you've done today that's helped you win today's match? Or do you feel like because US Open is home, so you're just locked in?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah. I mean, yeah. It's obviously a different match in a slam. I mean, I served pretty well. I had some good moments. I had 19 aces, 50-some percent. That's going to help me a lot.

He's a tough opponent. He's got a great backhand, and he can extend points. He really makes you beat him, right? But ultimately, playing in a slam is totally different. I'm ready to battle. We're going four hours, five hours rather than, you know, some other tournaments down a break or whatever, and not really feeling it. Yeah, it can go awry pretty quick (smiling).

A little tighter with the rope here.

Q. I just wondered if you could pinpoint for me maybe what is it exactly about Ashe that gives you so much juice? Because clearly it's like you're an NBA team on a home stand in there these days? Is that how it feels for you, like you've got a home field advantage?

FRANCES TIAFOE: For sure. For sure. Crowd support is insane. Also, you always play well in places you've done so well. I've won a lot of matches on that court in the last few years.

You know, I've had years -- most years coming into the Open, I haven't really won many matches at all. But I get out there, I just feel different. I'm moving great, hitting the ball pretty well.

It's a different type feeling. Playing on a court named after Arthur Ashe, it's awesome, and it's the biggest arena we have. It's super electric.

Q. If I can ask an off-court question, there's a screenshot of you reacting to Carlos Alcaraz's new haircut.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, it's horrible. It's terrible.

Q. I'm curious if you would make that big change before a slam or you would be too superstitious, do you think?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, it's definitely terrible. He's my guy though. It's funny. I looked at him and I was like, I guess you're aerodynamic.

Juan Carlos "Mosquito" was laughing. He was like, Yeah, he's faster than he already was. I was like, Well, that's a problem.

Yeah, I don't know who told him that it's good. I don't know who told him to do that, but it's terrible. From a guy who gets haircuts week in, week out, and prides myself on good haircuts, it's horrendous.

At the end of the day, it's Carlos, and that's my guy. But yeah, he needs to get with me. He needs to get with me for sure.

Q. I just want to ask, you made your debut last week on a couple of the lists of the highest-earning tennis players. I don't think you've been on the top 10s before.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, yeah. I saw it. I don't follow Boardroom. Katie, I love you, but I don't follow Boardroom.

Q. Forbes had you in their top 10.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I seen it. I seen it.

Q. What does that mean to you to be up there in that company, and have you paid attention to those lists before when you weren't on them? Do you take those lists seriously? Do you think they're accurate? How do you feel about that concept of those lists now that you're No. 8 or whatever on them?

FRANCES TIAFOE: It's pretty accurate, yeah (smiling). When I sat down and thought about it -- you know, I never really thought about it, but when I actually thought about it and, like, you know, the inflow I have and things like that, I was like, yeah. Obviously all before tax, right?

But yeah, I was pretty shocked about it because knowing the list, a lot of Grand Slam champions. It's a testament, man, to my story, just being truly blessed and highly favored, man.

Honestly, when you look at the list, I shouldn't be on the list, to be honest with you. To be 8, that shows a lot of brands and people want to follow me and be part of my journey. That means a lot for me, more than the money part. Obviously that's cool too.

But I mean, that many people want to be a part of me because, honestly, if you look at the list, I shouldn't be on there, but it's a testament to also being a genuine person. I feel a lot of my partners invest in me the person rather than the athlete.

Q. Just to follow up on the question about Ashe, you obviously really feed off the crowd. I'm wondering, like playing so many matches out there, how much have you learned how much you can control the crowd or manipulate them or get them going?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I mean, obviously I had a couple of crazy points today. You kind of get them riled up. I want to be kind of more business-like here early rounds.

But just understanding, if it's crucial moments and I need a little push, yeah, I'll get them going to get myself going or get myself going rather than get them going. It's kind of picking your moments.

Three-out-of-five is long. Three-out-of-five is long. This is the quickest match, and it's two-and-a-half hours. I mean, you've got to really pace yourself. It's warm. Today was a little warmer than it's going to be.

So yeah, I mean, I'm ultimately understanding that, understanding myself a little bit better. But yeah, I mean, when it's time to get them going, I'm going to get them going, for sure.

Q. What are your thoughts about what happened with Medvedev last night and your thoughts about him coming back from that in the weeks ahead?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I had to sleep early, and I hate going to bed early, so I only saw everything this morning. Because I thought I was going to play a lot earlier than I did today, so my coach was telling me about it.

Yeah, it was a circus last night. That was something, for sure. But I mean, I get it. Look, I mean, it went overboard on a bunch of different sides, right, but I think it's just tough.

People don't understand. You're traveling a lot. He holds himself to a super high standard. He's been struggling, and he's struggling to face the music, right? He's struggling to face losing early and to guys he feels like he should be beating, and unprecedented matches, things not going your way.

Another side comes out, and I hope to see him play to the level he's capable of playing. Obviously it's been a super tough stretch for him.

To take the athlete out, to be a fan, I thought it was funny as hell. I'm not going to lie to you. I thought it was crazy, for sure.

Q. You get followed now on Ashe by Venus Williams. As a fellow American, what's it like to see her back on a Grand Slam stage, and what does it mean for tennis to have Venus back?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Venus Williams? I mean, she's so iconic. I'm pretty sure it's packed out there right now to watch Venus Williams. Regardless, she's Venus Williams.

She's so iconic in so many different ways. Williams sister in itself, but man, she's won so much. To see how much she loves the game still at her young age is amazing. It's amazing to still see her out here. I hope she goes and wins today and puts some action on the board for sure.

I got to get this guy to ask a question, because you in a mood right now.

Q. Thank you. You mentioned about all the crowd at Ashe being behind you. We all know that an American male has not won here since 2003. Is there pressure being the great American hope for you and your American colleagues, like this glass ceiling that has not been broken for 22 years?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I mean, definitely. I wouldn't say pressure. I will say when someone does it, it's going to come in bundles. I think guys are going to start doing it and doing it and doing it.

But I think this is the group to do it. Someone is going to do it pretty soon here. Guys are knocking on the door. I played Fritz here in the semis. He made the final.

Ben has been going deep in slams very consistently. Fritz made semis at Wimbledon. He had a definite look there going in the fifth against Alcaraz. You don't know what could happen there, right?

Guys are beatable, man. The door is open. Let's call a spade a spade. It's not what it was. Obviously you have two guys at the top in Carlos and Sinner, but everybody else can get it for sure. Yeah, everybody else is up for it.

I mean, it's definitely open. It's just how bad you want it and are you able to execute.