DAVIS CUP QULIFIERS 2ND ROUND: CZECHIA vs USA

September 12, 2025

Frances Tiafoe

Team USA

Press Conference

J. LEHECKA/F. Tiafoe

6-3, 6-2

Team Czechia - 1

Team USA - 0

THE MODERATOR: Frances, can you just start us off, give us your thoughts on the match.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Obviously not that pleased with it. Yeah, just tough. I thought I had some looks early. Once he broke me, I thought he did a great job of front-running.

Really heavy conditions out there. He played well. Kind of a testament how I have been playing. Just not great. Just not playing very well.

But, you know, early on it was a bit better. Just not playing well. Not playing nearly the level I should be, and that's just the realty.

Of course he played well. Just came off quarters at the US Open. He played well today, but I mean, just kind of a testament how I have been playing.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You were aggressive. Seemed like he had all the answers and served well. Is it a situation where sometimes a player is just seeing the ball great?

FRANCES TIAFOE: He played well tonight. He played well tonight, because I made him come up with some goods. It was heavy. Court wasn't helping me out enough.

Usually I play that court with (indiscernible) would be a little bit tougher. I felt like he had a lot of time on the pass. Made me kind of tougher to come and pick where I should be covering.

Yeah, I asked a lot of questions, and he answered them.

Q. (Question about coming in.)

FRANCES TIAFOE: Just wanted to do that in general. I'm better when I come up there. I came in probably a lot more than normally, and I kind of just stuck to it regardless.

But, yeah, I mean, you have to tip your hat when a guy is playing that well. Just give him credit.

Q. Obviously not the result you wanted. How did it feel to be in front of the home crowd? You know the crowd is behind you.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I think that's what sucks, right? Obviously, you know, fans in the States, man, I got some love for 'em. They've really gotten behind me in my last few years as I stepped into my quote, unquote, prime.

Feeling the arena, felt great. Obviously I want to bring out a better product for them. They paid their hard-earned money to watch. It's tough when you don't bring your best product out for them. You have little kids out there, what have you.

It's also playing in the States, home soil. Never played a Davis Cup tie in the States, so that was great (smiling). It's not great only winning five games, but it is what it is.

Q. You may play the biggest match against Jakub Mensik. How do you look forward to it? How do you match up with him? A chance to go out there and have a great match.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Hell of a player, hell of a guy. Yeah, it will be great to have a chance and go out there and play. I mean, he's a great player.

It would be awesome to play a fifth rubber. But it would be awesome to not play, as well, and hopefully we win (smiling). Going to go out there and show Taylor some love. Hopefully the guys get it done before I have to go out there again. I'd rather there be a dead rubber, but if I've got to go and play a fifth rubber, I'll be ready to go, and hopefully put up something better than I did today.