
via Getty
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 20: Dwyane Wade address the crowd during a game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Providence Friars at the Fiserv Forum on January 20, 2019 in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

via Getty
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 20: Dwyane Wade address the crowd during a game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Providence Friars at the Fiserv Forum on January 20, 2019 in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade is celebrating a rare feat. After a decade-long drought, the United States now homes two players in the top 10 of the current ATP rankings. In 2012, Mardy Fish and John Isner held the ninth and tenth positions respectively. However, since then, such success has been rare for American tennis players. Until last month, when a 25-year-old won his first grass-court title. The new world number 1o spot cemented his place in the history books. Not only did he achieve something remarkable on the court, he became only the third player from his community to receive such an honor.
Wade, the Miami Heat legend, didn’t shy away from expressing his delight on his Instagram. Let’s unfold the story piece by piece as we gain insights into the mutual respect between these two sporting heavyweights.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Immortalizing victory in Germany celebrated by Dwyane Wade
Frances Tiafoe made headlines last month after he beat Jan-Lennard Struff in the grass-court tournament in Stuttgart. The Big Foe, now not only holds a trophy on every surface, but he also cracked his way into the top 10 after the victory. As an African American man, this feat is rather unprecedented.
Tiafoe is only the third Black American player to secure their spot in the top 10. Dwayne Wade showed his love and support for this new tennis prodigy. The 2006 Finals MVP took to his Instagram where he posted a winning moment picture of Frances.
View this post on Instagram
He tagged Tiafoe in the story and wrote the words, “Go off.”
In response to the support, Frances took to his personal handle too. He re-posted the story shared by Wade and expressed his gratitude towards the 13-time all-star. Tiafoe wrote, “All love flash,” via his Instagram story.
Climbing his way to the top of the hill
Frances Tiafoe has been on a rapid growth spree ever since he broke into the top 100 almost 7 years ago.
READ MORE: LeBron James Still Mulling Over a Kyrie Irving Reunion, as per Sources
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
2 years later, he found his way into the top 50. Carving his way through the ranks, Tiafoe secured a position in the top-20 rankings just last year. And now, shortly thereafter, he is now the tenth-best tennis player in the world!

via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 20, 2022 Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. during his second round match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Tiafoe’s versatility has been crucial for him in his journey to the top of the Tennis hill. Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are the only other athletes in the top 10 who have won an ATP title on all three surfaces. This puts Tiafoe in an elite group of players.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The classy shoutout from Dwayne Wade made it abundantly clear how proud the Heat legend is of his fellow country mate as he pushes his way through the stereotypes and the ranks. What do you think of Tiafoe’s success?
WATCH THIS STORY: Amid Gut-Wrenching Loss, 28-Year-Old Ons Jabeur Admits ‘Honest Mistake’ as Strict Wimbledon Rules Forced Her Off Center Court
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT