‘They Are a Big Problem…’- Frances Tiafoe Blames Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic for the Lack of Success for Next Gen at Grand Slams

The Big 3 have dominated men’s tennis for more than two decades now. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal have clinched a whopping 63 Grand Slam titles over the past two decades.

In a recent interview, Frances Tiafoe expressed his concern over the lack of American Grand Slam champion in the men’s circuit. His claim surprised many as he put the blame on some of the most successful players in the history of the sport.

Frances Tiafoe blames Novak Djokovic, Rafael, and Roger Federer for the lack of American US Open champions

Tiafoe attributed the ‘Big 3’ for the absence of US Open champions from the United States. He said, “I don’t think it’s a flag issue.”

He named the players responsible for this jokingly and stated, “I think it’s a Novak, Rafa, Federer issue. I think they are a big problem for everyone.”

Furthermore, he saw hope in the near future for an American player to achieve the feat. Tiafoe said, “I think we are all playing some great tennis. It’s only a matter of time. I mean, draws are opening up more and more.”

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With hope, he concluded, “I see someone making semi, final, maybe winning one next couple of years. Why not?” The US has not had a male Grand Slam winner since 2003, when Andy Roddick won his first and only US Open title.

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Tiafoe himself is a huge contender for the position. He has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open once in 2019. Other than that, the player has not fared well in the other Grand Slam titles.

Other than him, we have Taylor Fritz, who defeated Rafael Nadal in the finals of the Indian Wells Masters this year. Moreover, he also put up a good fight against the Spaniard in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon and extended the match to five sets. He has two titles this year, from Indian Wells as well as Eastbourne International.

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On the contrary, American women at the US Open have maintained a good record, thanks to Serena Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam champion won her last US Open in 2014, clinching her sixth US Open title, and made it to the finals as recently as 2018. She will try to win her 24th grand slam title and seventh US Open title this year in the upcoming hard court major.