LAVER CUP

September 24, 2023

Patrick McEnroe

Frances Tiafoe

Team World

Press Conference

F. TIAFOE/H. Hurkacz

7-5, 6-3

Team Europe - 2

Team World - 8

THE MODERATOR: Frances, Patrick, thanks for joining us. We will just get started here.

Frances, your thought on another important win for Team World, how you thought the match went.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Very, very well. I thought I played really well. Best I have played in a while, actually, to be honest. I felt really good out there. I was just having fun. Obviously I love a team environment, and just wanted to get another win for the guys.

Just came out there and did me, and it felt really good out there. Really can't complain about anything.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. A fun match to watch. You play a lot of matches around the world, but just talk about this environment and why it sticks out for you and why it brings out a match like tonight where you're playing at the top of your game?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Well, for sure, Laver Cup is definitely a staple every year for me. It's an event I want to make, first off, first and foremost, and another thing where I want to win.

Obviously last year we clinched it for the first time, a collective effort. It was an unbelievable experience. Seeing Johnny Mac that drunk and P-Mac that drunk afterward was incredible. (Laughter.) It was awesome. We all did it together, and it was so big and so big for the event.

I think Rog and Rod and everybody who else is involved did a great job of putting this event together. I think this event needs to have more and more emphasis and get the best players in the world playing. It really is an unbelievable event.

Q. Is there something about too the arena itself, the sound, the way the crowd...

FRANCES TIAFOE: For sure, for sure. You just feel the hype. Every time before the session starts, how we walk on, you know, how it's dark but light on the court, it gives you that kind of Final 8 vibe that used to be in London, how it felt.

This is a crazy experience. It's such a high level. It's something you want to be a part of. I think it's going to push the game forward.

Q. Frances, you just touched on the way you're playing. What do you think has just really clicked? Because it really seemed tonight you had taken it up another level, especially the behind-the-back volley.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, just having fun. You know, I have been going nuts from Match 1 for all the guys. So was a little worried about how I was going to come out, because I've been so amped up, getting out of the seat.

I get out there and I just want to compete. Also I just want to have fun. I think this year I've put so much emphasis on big events and tried to really perform and really want to do really well.

I think it's maybe not actually be me, which is go out there and have a performance like that. Competing super hard and playing well, playing to win, but just having fun out there and getting people involved. That's when I'm at my best and putting the smile I have on and just enjoying it.

Something I'm definitely going to incorporate at the end of the year and next year.

Q. Patrick, when you're sitting courtside and you see one of your charges playing the way Frances played today and some of those returns that were produced, what are you feeling? What are your emotions on those moments?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I guess I'm like Frances. I'm having fun. I mean, it's awesome to see his level but also what he brings to the court. You know, I think it's just a pleasure to be around it.

I know how hard he's worked. When he first came on the Laver Cup team, he was a young buck, and to see the way he's developed, you know, and still keeping his attitude out there but doing it in a different way, you know, better way with the way he's playing, and I just love those volleys. He likes to play those little drop volleys sometimes, which are great, but today he wasn't messing around. Just solid as a rock.

It's great to see. It's great for the sport, and it's great for the kids out there watching.

Q. Frances, when you're feeling it the way you were tonight, in the first set, you get through a break and you close out the set by going forehand, winner, ace, passing shot for winner, lob winner on a break, when you're feeling it, do those things just come natural, or are they instinctive when you're able to make the type of shots you're making in succession?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, it's all instinctive. Obviously you have a game plan before every match what you're trying to accomplish, but for me, a lot of things I did is not something that you really, like, teach. It's kind of what you do. I kind of just flow. Whatever makes sense to me at the time.

Being aggressive, use my speed to be aggressive, get on the ball quick, try to get myself to the net as much as possible.

That's what happened. You get lucky sometimes with some creative shots, but, you know, I have always been a pretty creative guy. Always try to do an impossible but sometimes just bring it in and sometimes the boring stuff gets it done.

Q. What's the reason for the Blues Brothers look at the moment?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, Oliver Peoples, Baby. Obviously Roger just did a collab with them, and I felt like after a performance like that, I think I should put on some shade, look fly. I think I deserve it after that one.

Q. You have become a veteran at this event. Just talk about what's the same the way you were when you started and what's different about you. How have you changed?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Well, I mean, when I first played, I was, from a ranking perspective and experience perspective, I was really far behind everybody else in the field. Obviously now I have a lot more experience, one of the best players in the world. I feel like I definitely belong, and I can really add to the team.

I think my personality is perfect for team events. Yeah, but it's been a good journey from the first time I played to who I am today.

Yeah, I think I'm always going to be at Laver Cup, especially as long as P-Mac and John are here.

Q. Talking about believing you belong at the top of the game, how tricky is it to have that kind of confidence week in and week out where you believe in your game, believe in yourself, believe in your shots?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah. Once you have that, I think you see the tour totally different. Obviously the game is getting better and better. Everyone, the gap is getting smaller and smaller.

I mean, I'm making a run at guys like Watanuki and lose. So it's crazy. You can really lose to anyone. But knowing that you can play at the highest level definitely helps. When you're in the gym and you're working hard, you're, like, I'm doing this for a reason. I know I can go out and it will pay off. I will be in situations where you only dream about. It's good.