Frances Tiafoe has been out of form recently, but still dreams of winning the biggest titles on tour.
The two-time semifinalist suffered a shock defeat at the US Open when Tiafoe lost to Jan-Lennard Struff in the fourth round.
Looking to bounce back at the Davis Cup, Tiafoe lost both of his singles matches as the United States failed to qualify for the finals in Bologna.
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images for ITF
Withdrawing from the Laver Cup, Tiafoe instead travelled to Tokyo for the Japan Open ATP 500 event.
Ahead of his first-round match with Marton Fucsovics, Tiafoe spoke openly about his ambition to challenge the very best players in men’s tennis.
Frances Tiafoe plans to start practising with ‘high intensity’ to join Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
During an interview with Olympics.com, Tiafoe commented on the dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
“There are a couple more guys who have got to join them. I’m not saying beat them, but there’s got to be [other] guys – and that motivates me,” said Tiafoe
Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images
“I’m like, yo, who’s that third guy? Who’s that fourth guy?
“Novak [Djokovic] doesn’t count. He’s 40. I love him, but he doesn’t count. He’s 40. He’s a GOAT; he’s the best player of all time. He’s not with those guys.
“Who is that other guy or two to be there and maybe beat these guys? Who are those guys? And there’s a bunch of guys who can be that guy, right? So that’s really motivating me. It’s like, ‘See big picture.’ That’s motivating.”
Alcaraz and Sinner have shared the previous eight Grand Slams among themselves and are currently ranked number one and two in the world.
- 2024 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
- 2024 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz
- 2024 Wimbledon – Carlos Alcaraz
- 2024 US Open – Jannik Sinner
- 2025 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
- 2025 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz
- 2025 Wimbledon – Jannik Sinner
- 2025 US Open – Carlos Alcaraz
Official ATP top five
Knowing there’s a big gap to close down, Tiafoe highlighted Alcaraz and Sinner’s biggest strength, which he plans to add to his own game.
“Everyone’s puzzle looks different, everyone’s style looks different. But the biggest thing is the intensity they’re playing at, how fast they’re playing at,” he said.
“With Jannik, you know what product you’re going to get from him every single day. Alcaraz is more similar to me, as in the flashier talent or whatever, but still, his effort and what he brings out is the same every day.
“If I can get more of that, bring in a high-intensity effort to practice, I’ll be all right.”
Looking ahead to the future, Tiafoe said fans can expect big changes from him in a bid to regain competitiveness ahead of 2026.
“You can expect a different version. A version that’s yes, he’s going to be a smiling guy, but he’s going to be going to be there f—— about it and hopefully, hopefully, that gets me to where I’m trying to go,” he said.”
Unfortunately for the American, the ‘new’ Tiafoe came up short in his Tokyo opener…
Frances Tiafoe loses to Marton Fucsovics at the Japan Open
It wasn’t to be for Tiafoe in round one of the 2025 Japan Open, as he lost to Fucsovics in three sets, 6-3, 1-6, 5-7.
Despite making ten aces, Tiafoe’s serve let him down at times, giving the Hungarian 13 opportunities to break.
Serving stats from Frances Tiafoe vs Marton Fucsovics
The world number 29 will now head over to Shanghai for the penultimate Masters 1000 event of the season.
Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images
Tiafoe has only won two career matches at the Shanghai Masters, a tally he would no doubt love to improve upon in 2025.
The 2025 Shanghai Masters are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 1.