ROLAND GARROS

June 4, 2023

Frances Tiafoe

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/F. Tiafoe

3-6, 7-6, 6-1, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Frances.

Q. Would you agree that on balance all things considered, you were really good here, your three matches?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, for sure. Assuming how bad I was for so many years here (laughing). I played well. I played well. I mean, for the majority of the match I felt like I was in control. I felt like I was controlling the rally for the most part. I mean, I thought I was a better player for a lot of times. Wasn't converting.

Even the second set I thought I should have won. Played a bad third set. It got away from me after I broke early and then I kind of -- three out of five, I mean. He had the luxury of letting it go a little bit and whatever.

The fourth, it's unexcusable for me to lose. 5-3, 30-Love serving, looks 4-5, 30-Love. A bunch of passes that I don't miss and am missing. It's just tough.

I should be playing the fifth right now. But, yeah, so we'll see.

Q. Sascha mentioned your long relationship and how good you get along in the locker room. He said that the key was not to get eye contact with you, not that you get the smile, you know that? How did he manage to do that, and could you have done better on this point?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, he said that every time. I definitely use that to my advantage. I mean, I always have fun out there. You know, there was one time where I hit him with the ball and the crowd started booing. I was, like, okay, only people knew that me and him have been good friends since we were 11. It's all fun and games.

Yeah, I mean, I can function in funny environments and cracking jokes and still play at a high level. A lot of guys need to be in the zone. I function better that way.

I tried to get the crowd into it at times obviously and stuff, but they were pro-Sascha tonight. I raised up a couple of times, and they weren't really feeling me, so I was, like, all right, I'm just going to do my thing tonight, whatever.

Q. Were you aware going in that you were the last American man in the field?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, yeah, but it just so happened I played later than Taylor. It's not like -- we both lost in the third round. I mean, that's tough.

I just want to see those guys win. It's not really about I'm the last American and I take pride. I don't really care. I want to hold the trophy. I want to hold the slam.

It's not really about the other Americans. It's a selfish sport. I want those guys to do well, I want those guys to win. But I'm not saying, Oh, I'm the last American, whatever. If I were to win today, I don't get off by that. I don't really care.

I got my own personal goals, and so does Taylor. And rightfully so, right? Me, Taylor, Tommy, we're all playing some great tennis that we're only going to get better and be in these positions and keep going. I'm not really concerned about being the only American. I'm not really concerned about being the last American in the slam. I just want to see all those guys do well, and hopefully by the time we're all done we all get one.

Q. You've joked about just now five minutes ago you don't love the clay and coming here. I mean, it's not your favorite surface. How excited are you about moving onto the grass and getting to Wimbledon? Will this bother you a lot, or can you quickly move past it?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I'm an easygoing guy, obviously, but this is going to hurt for a while. Especially, let's just call a spade a spade. My section of the draw really opened up. I really feel I let the opportunity go, to be really honest with you. This is going to hurt a lot.

Especially with all the opportunities I had. I mean, I really felt like I was the better player tonight. I let it go. So that's the name of the game. Some loose points, some up and downs. He kind of stayed with it.

But I'm excited for the grass. Obviously, that's a better surface for me, but all I really care about are the biggest events in the world, especially the slams. I want to try to win one. Two slams and two third rounds, very disappointing for me.

Q. Considering how good he was on this surface pre-injury and you are saying that you were in control over a long period of time this match, how good is Alexander Zverev now after the injury at the moment?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I think he competed really well. I still think he is obviously not at his peak level. Every match he is going to be in because of how well he serves, right, but obviously he is not at his peak level.

He played pretty well tonight. I mean, he works so hard. He puts the time in. He's going to be fine. He's going to be back at the top of the game in no time, but I don't think he's at his peak level, for sure.

His level from when he got injured to now, I mean, I don't think he's at that level. I mean, obviously, right? Because, I mean, he was playing ridiculous at that time. I don't hope he gets back to that level because that was tough (smiling).

Yeah, he's still very good. He beat me tonight, so he's still very good, and I'm playing very well. Good for him and whatever. Once it's done, it's done.

We were just in the gym cracking jokes. For me once it's done, it's done. It's whatever.

Yeah, we'll see how he does, and hopefully he takes the opportunity and carries on.