
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 12, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Frances Tiafoe of the United States returns a ball to Gael Monfils of France (not pictured) at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Aug 12, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Frances Tiafoe of the United States returns a ball to Gael Monfils of France (not pictured) at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Several sports have many tournaments in which players represent their countries. Besides the Davis Cup, tennis is not such a sport. In the majority of the tournaments, players play for personal glory. Although people would enjoy that players take pride in their country when playing, Frances Tiafoe is someone who is least bothered about representing the US in the sport.
Usually, Tiafoe is not a player who would answer a question with much seriousness. The former number 11 likes to keep things light and goofs around a lot when he is not on the court. Tiafoe acted like a goofball during the United Cup in Australia as he asked for the autograph of Madison Keys. His antics have even ended with him locked in a bathroom. Therefore his acting seriously would throw his followers off.
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Frances Tiafoe on American Pride in Tennis
So far, the French Open has been brutal to American men’s players. While the women’s singles going great for American women, the men’s division fared poorly. Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Taylor Fritz, John Isner, and more, have all been eliminated. In the post-match conference of his third-round loss, Tiafoe was asked about how he was the last American man remaining in the prestigious clay court tournament.

via Imago
May 1, 2023, MADRID, MADRID, SPAIN: Frances Tiafoe of United States looks on against Pedro Cachin of Argentina during the Mutua Madrid Open 2023 celebrated at Caja Magica on May 01, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. MADRID SPAIN – ZUMAa181 20230501_zaa_a181_174 Copyright: xIrinaxR.xHipolitox
While Tiafoe was aware of the situation, he was not bothered by it at all. Although he would love to see his countrymen win, the former world number 11 said that it’s not about other Americans. He even went on to say that it was a ‘selfish sport’. “It’s not really about the other Americans. It’s a selfish sport. I want those guys to do well, I want those guys to win. But I’m not saying, Oh, I’m the last American, whatever.” Tiafoe said.
Read more – Who Was the Last African-American to Reach the US Open Semifinals?
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Tiafoe further added that winning slams is more of a “personal goal”. As per him, every American player on the circuit has the same feeling; they want to win for themselves first. Regardless, he still wanted his fellow players to win also.
“I don’t really care. I got my own personal goals, and so does Taylor. And rightfully so, right? we’re all playing some great tennis that we’re only going to get better and be in these positions and keep going. I’m not really concerned about being the only American.”
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It is safe to say that Tiafoe is more driven by individual glory than his compatriot’s success that would add to his nation’s Grand Slam tally.
What do you think of Frances Tiafoe’s comments about tennis being an individual sport? Let us know in the comments.
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