THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2022

Frances Tiafoe

Press Conference

D. GOFFIN/F. Tiafoe

7-6, 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Just your initial thoughts on the match today.

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, it was unbelievable match. I mean, we both definitely left it out there. I mean, beginning of the fourth, I mean, got a hold there at 5-4 to extend the fourth.

Other than, just a hell of a battle.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Is that the kind of match that you think about for a long time, or is that the kind of match that you forget all about?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, definitely gonna sting. In the end, good opportunity for a lot of guys. I was hoping me and Tommy could both win, play quarterfinal, but unfortunately we both lost.

Yeah, I mean, it was an opportunity for a lot of guys try to go further into the slam. I knew it; he knew it. I'm sure the other two guys also knew it.

Yeah, it definitely stings a little bit. It's always nice to get quarter of a slam, so on and so forth.

Yeah, I mean, I don't know, I don't know if I'm gonna forget about it or if it's gonna be on me for a while. At the end of the day, I played great tennis, so it's not something I can dwell on or feel sorry for myself. I would have definitely liked to win.

Q. Do you feel like you're improving?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Oh, for sure. I thought we both played lights out. Rallies were insane, level was insane. Only thing, my serve went really left. I couldn't figure out my serve at all.

But other than that, I thought I hit my forehand great, moving great. So was he. Level of tennis was, I mean, top-10 level easy. Hitting ridiculous shots, both of us.

Q. I can't remember seeing you do this, but maybe you have a recollection of it, shaking hands with spectators before? Have you done that?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, yeah. I do that from time to time. I mean, it's not like, again, premeditated thing. I was running full speed, and, you know, they were right there.

He's giving a nice, formal handshake. I thought it was funny. Early in the match. Get the crowd into it.

I had some jitters. I was a little nervous. Came out, wasn't playing great. That calmed me down. After that, it was war after that. That felt ages ago that, that part of the match. (Laughter.)

Q. How much of your personality and your closeness to other people around you do you feel is important to being who you are on the court?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, again, I mean, these things, you know, I mean, it just kind of happens, like shaking the guy's hand. I mean, right before that, it was a crazy point, really long point. I missed the pass. I'm like, Fuck.

I see the lady. I went up to the lady. Also tired, so I just hugged the lady. Hit it hard down the line, too. She laughed about it.

So, I mean, yeah, it's fun. I mean, we are out there battling, and the crowd appreciated it. I mean, she does too. I mean, she's out there for a long time. It was good blood all around. It was a funny moment.

Q. A variation on that, your mock challenge, you hit a serve that was...

FRANCES TIAFOE: That's the worst serve I ever hit in my life. Hit a serve past the baseline. That's unacceptable.

Q. The mock challenge...

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I actually wish I did it up. That would have been hilarious. I think the whole crowd would have laughed.

Q. Do you consider humor to be an important part of it, it helps when you're out there?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, it's just me. You know, I crack a lot of jokes. Very easygoing. Kind of just who I am.

Q. You mentioned Tommy was out there also now today. Did you guys talk to each other at all on the day off yesterday or run into each other today, either before or after your matches?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I actually didn't see him yesterday at all, no. Yeah, I mean, texting each other, Good job. I seen him after he won day before.

But, yeah, I mean, we're all in good communication. I mean, it's not something we need to speak about. Obviously two Americans have a chance to play quarterfinals of a slam, both want each other to win.

It's not like we need to talk about it, Hey, man, I hope you win today. Yeah, yeah, you too. It's not one of those things. Yeah.

Q. What do you think the takeaway for the emerging Americans will be after this tournament?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I think, I mean, great. I mean, I think young Americans playing great tennis, hopefully we can carry on, good time for us. Clay court season is over. Get that season over (smiling). Yeah, grass.

Then on to the hard court. American swing. I think it's great. I think we have great momentum. I hope we all just keep carrying on and playing great leading up to the Open.

Q. Do you know where you're playing the rest of the summer?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, I need to take some time off. I mean, I don't know. Probably Atlanta. I don't know. We'll see.

Q. Any way to describe to us sort of what it's like to be in the middle of a match with a caliber that was so high as that one was?

FRANCES TIAFOE: You appreciate it much more after, right? During, you're like just trying to do everything in your power to try to get a win.

I haven't even really processed what just happened. Just played five brutal sets. Crazy rallies, running everywhere.

Yeah, probably in a couple days maybe if I watch the match back or whatever, I'll be like, yeah, man, that was crazy to be a part of.

I mean, the only thing I can say honestly right now is fuck David. He beat me two slams in a row. Fuck that guy. (Laughter.)

Nah, he's a hell of a player. He's been playing well since he's been trying to come back. Obviously this tournament no points, but he's been playing really well. I like him a lot. Good guy. I hope he keeps going.

Q. You mentioned your humor. Can you tell us a little bit what the locker room is like. Is it a little bit uptight? Are there a lot of nerves?

FRANCES TIAFOE: What do you mean, in a general sense?

Q. Yeah, overall, just paint the picture.

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, everyone is different, right? I'm probably the loud one in the locker room, for sure, whoever I come across.

Everyone is different. Here is a little different because obviously seeds and nonseeds.

But, yeah, kind of like whoever you're friends with, kind of speak to. It's pretty easygoing. Guys are kind of just chilling, doing their thing, getting ready for matches.

But it's been pretty chill, the locker room, this time around. A lot of Americans winning, a lot of Americans to talk to.

Q. Good to hear English spoken?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, definitely. Definitely, for sure.

Q. Four hours and 36 minutes. Were your legs rubbery in that last set?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Beginning of fourth I was getting stitches around. I was like, oh, but then generally you kind of just keep going. Tired as hell right now. We'll see. I'm going to be sore as hell tomorrow. But, man, it was brutal, a lot of running.

It felt like we were on clay court at one point, rallies were so long. I was, like, this is defeating the purpose of the grass court season. (Laughter.)

I mean, David moves so well, man. He's so good at extending points. It's crazy. Obviously so do I. So it was just, you know, who wants to hang in there longer.