Frances Tiafoe: Eager for a price war | News

Frances Tiafoe was one of Team World's youngest participants when he was selected by John McEnroe for the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague seven years ago at the age of 19. At the time, he was ranked 72nd in the world and took on 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic in the historic opening match, showing how well equipped he is for this demanding competition.

Since then, Tiafoe has become one of America's leading tennis stars, with his contributions being pivotal to Team World's triumphs, securing back-to-back titles at London 2022 and Vancouver 2023. Both times he sealed the championship with explosive victories on Sunday.

How it works
Tiafoe was the first to admit that his 2024 season had been “really tough” until August, when he reached his first ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati and the semifinals of the ATP 500 in Washington. He returns to Team World with renewed confidence and a top-20 ranking after defeating high-profile opponents in Ohio, including Wimbledon semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti and former world number four Holger Rune.

Tiafoe, who defeated eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in a thrilling third round at Wimbledon, said: “I think anyone can beat anyone. If you're not ready, you'll get beaten.” Tiafoe stayed focused at the 2024 US Open, where he stormed into the semifinals for the second time in his career to face fellow American Taylor Fritz, his friend and teammate on Team World, in Berlin.

The motivation to play the Laver Cup
Now a veteran of the Laver Cup competition with four seasons and two championships under his belt, “Big Foe” is excited about the opportunity to represent Team World for a record fifth time.

“Having the chance to win together at the highest level always means a lot to us; we talk about it a lot. Coming together and trying not to worry about yourself and playing for something bigger than yourself is a great thing. And I love team sports, so I like to compete.”

Role in Team World
When Tiafoe plays at the Laver Cup, he is greeted enthusiastically by players on both sides, such is the aura of good humor that surrounds the lively Maryland native.

Tiafoe described himself as the guy on the team who motivates everyone.

“When I'm out there, I'm the biggest cheerleader and make sure everyone is having fun. I'm the glue guy.”

It's motivating, he continued, to support a group of guys he normally tries to beat and see them “take down other great players.” Nothing excites him more than sitting on the bench, watching the Laver Cup battle and taking orders from captain McEnroe. “He's such a fighter… wants to be a leader in everything he does. He was so keen to win again (in Vancouver).

“But we all love him. No filter. Mac is Mac. You know, he's going to do what he's going to do. And you have so much respect for that guy. I'm a huge fan of his and it's always cool to be around him.”

Favorite memory
Tiafoe said one of his fondest memories of the Laver Cup was competing with Jack Sock against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the doubles match in London on Friday and watching the two “Mount Rushmore athletes” cry together at a special post-match ceremony to mark Federer's retirement.

“I mean, this is wild,” Tiafoe said. “I'm a kid, like eight, nine years old, and I watched these guys fight. And now, you know, at the end, they're holding hands and they have so much respect for each other.”

“One guy, Spanish, barely spoke any English at the beginning. Another guy, who you would think was American, he speaks English so well, and he's so cool and does everything as if they were so different. But they just love each other and the respect they have for each other is incredible.

“That was probably the coolest thing ever. And I thought, man, it's just cool to be here. Forget what just happened. It's cool to be here. Yeah.”

Read Frances Tiafoe's full Team World profile