Frances Tiafoe > records > rankings > stats

Player Profile: Frances Tiafoe

Country: USA

Birthdate: January 20, 1998

Plays: Right-handed, two-handed backhand

Career Prize Money: Over $13.4 million

Career high ATP Tour singles ranking: 10th

Career high ATP Tour doubles ranking: 160th

Introduction

Frances Tiafoe Jr. was born on January 20, 1998, in Hyattsville, Maryland, USA. He is an American professional tennis player who has reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 10 on June 19, 2023. This achievement made him the first Sierra Leonean American man to be ranked in the top 10 by the ATP.

Tiafoe plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand. His current coach is David Witt (since July 2024), and he previously worked with Jordi Arconada.

Career

Frances Tiafoe turned professional in 2015. His junior career was marked by significant success, reaching world No. 2 in the ITF junior rankings and winning the prestigious 2013 Orange Bowl at the age of 15, becoming the tournament's youngest-ever boys' singles champion.

Tiafoe has emerged as one of the most dynamic and inspiring figures in American tennis. Known for his explosive athleticism, charismatic presence, and compelling backstory, Tiafoe has steadily risen through the ATP ranks, establishing himself as a top contender on multiple surfaces.

His first major breakthrough came in 2018, when he claimed the Delray Beach Open title, becoming the youngest American man to win an ATP title since Andy Roddick in 2002.

In 2023, he added two more titles to his name - on clay at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston and on grass at the Stuttgart Open - demonstrating his growing versatility.

Tiafoe has also delivered impressive performances on the Grand Slam stage. He reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2019 and the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2022.

His most significant achievements, however, have come at the US Open, where he reached the semifinals in both 2022 and 2024. These runs were historically significant - he became the first American man to reach the US Open semifinals since 2006, and the first Black American man to do so since Arthur Ashe in 1972, further cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in the sport.

Beyond Grand Slams, Tiafoe has made his mark in other high-profile events. He reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, showcasing his ability to challenge the sport's elite. In team events, he has also proven a valuable contributor.

He played a crucial role in Team World's victory at the 2022 Laver Cup, memorably defeating Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in Federer's farewell match. In 2023, he went undefeated in singles as part of Team USA's triumph in the inaugural United Cup.

Personal Life

Frances Tiafoe was born alongside his twin brother, Franklin Tiafoe, who also played tennis in high school and college. Their father's job at the JTCC was instrumental in their early exposure to the sport, and they spent a significant part of their childhood living at the center.

His mother, Alphina Kamara, worked as a nurse, and both parents made considerable sacrifices to support their sons. Frances visited Sierra Leone with his mother and brother at the age of eight, an experience he credits with broadening his perspective and appreciating his parents' efforts.

He is a fan of NBA players like Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, often imitating James' celebration after victories. He supports the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), and Washington Commanders (NFL).