Frances Tiafoe gets honest about bittersweet US Open memory losing to Taylor Fritz in SF

Frances Tiafoe this week opened up about his heartbreaking loss to Taylor Fritz in the semifinals of the 2024 US Open. The two men battled it out in a thriller, with the American No. 1 overturning a 1-2 deficit to win the match 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. This was Tiafoe's second five-set defeat in a US Open semifinal with the first coming against Carlos Alcaraz in 2022.

The 26-year-old arrived in Brisbane this week ahead of the 250 event to kick off his 2025 season. During a pre-tournament press conference, he was asked his thoughts on the epic all-American clash, to which the World No. 18 said that it was a tough loss considering he had a strong lead in the match. Tiafoe replied,

"That's not easy, yeah. That wasn't easy. I really thought I could have been in the final there. Thought it was pretty one-sided until that point."

The 26-year-old also paid Taylor Fritz respect:

"Again, you have to tip your hat, man. Taylor battled and he deserved to win. The guy who wins the match at the end of the day deserves to win. Happy it was an American at the end of the day. It was great to see him play a final. That's only going to light the fire under me to keep going, keep working.

"Guys, we look at the tour totally different. The game is open. Even though Sinner has had an incredible season, Alcaraz, incredible, Novak. I still think the game is open. There's no clear winner for any event. It obviously showed."

Fritz became the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2006 to reach the final of the US Open. He was defeated by Jannik Sinner in straight sets. Taylor Fritz is currently competing at the 2025 United Cup, where he is joined by Coco Gauff, Danielle Collins, Denis Kudla, Desirae Krawczyk, and Robert Galloway.

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Frances Tiafoe will play Adam Walton to kick off his 2025 season at the Brisbane International

Frances Tiafoe - Source: Getty

Frances Tiafoe is seeded fourth at the 2025 Brisbane International. He will play wild card Adam Walton in the opening round, in what will be the first match between the two men. Speaking about his opponent, the American said,

"I actually don't know him that much. He did a great job coming out of college, Tennessee. Getting top hundred pretty fast. I don't know if he's still in or just outside right now.

"Yeah, I really haven't seen him play much. Watch YouTube videos, stuff about him in the next day or so. I'm excited to get out there and play a good match, hopefully come out with a win, start the quest."

Frances Tiafoe is in the top half of the draw which is headlined by Novak Djokovic and also features Nick Kyrgios, Gael Monfils, Alexei Popyrin, and Sebastian Korda.