Tiafoe, on Brutal US Open Loss: “It Won’t Happen Again”

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 7, 2024

New York—After Frances Tiafoe melted down and misplaced eight of the final 9 video games in his 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss to Taylor Fritz in Friday night time’s US Open males’s singles semifinal, the 26-year-old had one factor on his thoughts: ensuring it doesn’t occur once more.

Tiafoe, who was two video games from victory at one level within the fourth set, tossed in back-to-back double-faults and ended up committing 4 consecutive unforced errors to giftwrap the fourth set for Fritz.

He later admitted that he was struggling bodily points, probably cramping on account of nervousness and stress.

“It was extra later in that set at 5-4, double-double, I am getting damaged there,” he mentioned. “I sort of felt there out of nowhere, simply cramps out of nowhere. I felt superb. It wasn’t even actually heat or humid tonight.

“I simply suppose the second, I acquired forward of myself, and one thing I am undoubtedly going to be taught for. Promise not gonna occur to me once more.”

It was a shocking turnaround, particularly given simply how nicely Tiafoe had performed. Fritz mentioned he felt overwhelmed by Tiafoe’s degree and was simply making an attempt to hold on and apply scoreboard stress to his rival.

Taylor Fritz outlasted Frances Tiafoe on this epic 4th set rally.

He gained 9 of the following 11 video games. pic.twitter.com/qyvJWjtsuI

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024

Tiafoe, who has now dropped seven consecutive selections to Fritz, says he plans to complete the season robust.

“I’ll let this sting, however I am gonna be taught from this,” he mentioned. “You realize, I am gonna work actually arduous. I’ll be in these positions once more, for certain. Simply hoping for a unique end result.”

Regardless of the loss, the 26-year-old sees the US Open as an enormous second for American tennis.

“I believe it opened the floodgates for certain,” he mentioned. “I believe guys are gonna begin believing they will go deep in slams. Tommy [Paul] has already made semis of slams, Ben [Shelton] as nicely, clearly him beating me final yr right here within the quarters. Fritz, now he is made the finals. None of us youthful guys have finished that.

“See what occurs on Sunday, however I believe a whole lot of guys are going to have the ability to suppose they will do it, particularly on this one the place later within the season, stuff like that with American crowds and what have you ever. I believe it is large. It exhibits that it is undoubtedly doable. As I mentioned, once more, the sport’s open. Even with Alcaraz and Sinner and these different guys, it is not what it was.”