US OPEN

September 2, 2026

Frances Tiafoe

Press Conference

F. TIAFOE/R. Sakamoto

6-3, 7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Frances, congratulations. Moving on. If you would, just assess your level of play tonight in this victory.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I thought it was really good. You know, obviously some ups and downs, but I'm happy how I played. I'm happy to be able to get it done in straights.

I think he's a young, good player. It's hard when you don't really know the guy you've played before, so...

I thought overall I played pretty well. Decent, good enough to get through and just hanging around, man. We'll see what happens.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Does it feel like it's starting to get rolling? I mean, you've gotten it rolling here and elsewhere before, but certainly here. So there must be some familiar feelings that you get and wondering what they are and what you look for?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I mean, I love playing here. I love playing matches out here. Louis Armstrong is great. I want to hang out there for a little longer. Why not?

Yeah, I mean, I feel good from where I'm at, how I feel. I've got a lot of people here, having fun, and just kind of treating it like another event.

But, yeah, I mean I feel like I'm definitely getting my feet under me, for sure.

Q. On the court, what is it that signals that, that you know, like, I'm starting to get through --

FRANCES TIAFOE: I think it's coming up with the goods when it matters. I think kind of getting in a flow state. You're just, you know, calm, and you're just going.

Look, I mean, it's a long ways from what I'm trying to do, but right now I'm happy. I think it was good almost to get a little scare there in the first round. Kind of really, you really get going after that.

Q. They showed the video. You were talking to Ben Stiller there. I want to ask you, I know you might have been late getting here after Cincinnati, but have you noticed on the grounds it seems like maybe more people wearing Knicks stuff this year?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I don't know what that team is. What is that team (smiling)?

No, yeah. First of all, I seen him in celebrity row every game in the playoffs. Yeah, I mean, it's crazy. It's a crazy run.

Yeah, hopefully I can go off that Knicks energy, even though I'm a huge DC Sports fan. That was nuts, man. What a run. Happy for them.

I texted them to say congrats to them. Yeah, I mean these guys were going to San Antonio and everything, so they were really locked in. It was great, man.

But Wizards will win the 'ship next year, so it's cool.

Q. I think you're undefeated in Louis Armstrong. Is there something about that --

FRANCES TIAFOE: Dude, don't say that. Dude, I know that; you know that. Just let it go, bro., but it's a pretty good record, though.

Q. Is there anything about Louis Armstrong that makes you super comfortable?

FRANCES TIAFOE: It's good energy, man, in there. I was talking to the security guys, and I was, like, I'm not mad at Louis. They were, like, I kind of like Louis. It's a vibe in there a little bit.

Everyone is just talking. Like, there's no suites to hide in. People are actually watching the match. Guys are drinking, enjoying it, talking nonstop. It's good energy in Louis. I like it, for sure.

Q. That was similar to the question I was going to ask, because there's been a lot said about the culture of the US Open and influencers doing certain stuff during the matches, especially on Arthur Ashe. Can you kind of compare the overall vibe of playing on Louis Armstrong to Ashe, and then also, what are your thoughts on that whole discussion about the, I guess, influencers and more casual fans?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I mean, I think the Open is great because you get all types of people that want to come and watch tennis. I think that's obviously your goal is to get all types of people watching tennis. Doesn't matter what occupation it is.

Gets everyone just kind of watching tennis, all different walks of life, different type of people, whatever, different type of occupations.

Personally, I love that. I have no problem with anybody doing anything, coming to watch the tennis. Putting asses in seats, you know, different age ranges, whatever, is huge for our sport. That's all I care about.

Q. Congrats. Maybe at the beginning of this match you might try to figure out how to play against your opponent since he's new here. So at what point did you feel like, Okay, I got him, I know how to play against him like that?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, there was times where I felt like I got him, and then I was, like, Oh, I guess I don't. But, I mean, he's a good player. He's got a really good serve. Moves pretty well for how big he is. He was just a good -- I mean, it was a good match.

He had some chances, too. He could have easily won that third set. He did a great job breaking me back in the fourth. I mean, sorry, in the second.

Yeah, I mean, he's got a lot of promise, so excited for him, for sure.

Q. You play Vacherot next. Have you played him before, and what do you expect?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I've never played him, never practiced with him. One of my boys went to college with him. (Indiscernible), but I don't really know him like that.

Obviously he had a heroic run in Shanghai, but you know, he's had some injuries this year, as well. It's good. It's going to be a good match. I'm excited for it, but again, I don't really know much about him, but I'll definitely study up.

Q. What do you do in a situation like that when you don't know the player?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Watch some tape, be the student. Watching runs, see who he has played, what have you. I'll know a decent amount in a couple of days.

Q. I feel like Lulu has been putting you in tank tops a lot recently. Is there a comfort difference or a movement difference when you are serving or playing in a T-shirt versus a tank top?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I think just playing -- I practice in tanks a lot. I think just playing in a tank, you are freer, there's no question about it, without a sleeve, yeah. Obviously it's lighter just naturally just in a tank.

But, yeah, I mean, they've been blessing me with tanks. They definitely don't love that I don't have tanks, but I have definitely asked them for it. Had some great runs with them.

Yeah, I mean, tank tops are the best. I mean, I love playing in tanks. It's just so fun. Obviously I love basketball. It's just a vibe. It's a great look. Obviously my outfit in Cincinnati was second to none, I thought. I thought it was great.

So, yeah, hopefully I can play in some more tanks down the line.

Q. Lulu puts you in them a lot. You could think of it as a badge of honor. Not everybody gets the tank top. Like Nike wants, you know, the guys who can look good in a tank top to be wearing the tank top. Have you ever thought about it like, That's right, I got the tank top?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I don't know what Nike is. What is it (smiling)? I forgot about them. I don't know who that is.

But, no, on a serious note, I'll answer that question. I think it's great. Obviously you see, you know, you got to definitely be chosen by that company to wear that. So it was cool when it happened, but you know, the Lulu tanks are a bit better.