Frances Tiafoe has sought to dispel one thing he keeps hearing about himself, after his latest win at the Washington Open.
It marked a really impressive performance from the American on his return to the US, brushing aside an in-form Flavio Cobolli, 6-1, 6-4.
However, upon entering the media room, there was one question unrelated to tennis which he sought to correct.
After all, it’s easy to assume plenty about tennis players with little knowledge of their personalities and how they go about their lives. We see but a fraction of what goes on, and underneath the surface, there is obviously plenty more to dissect.
Frances Tiafoe reveals what he’s heard people saying about him
That’s likely why Frances Tiafoe was so keen to answer one reporter’s question, which he labelled ‘interesting’.
He was asked: “You were alluding to you being more of a jovial personality on the tour. How do you use that to your advantage? How does that bring out the best in you? And are there any other drawbacks you feel like you maybe want to hold back at times, maybe get better tennis out of you, or hear back from people about focus as opposed to being jovial?
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“How do you balance being authentically you on the court and bringing out the best of you in clutch moments?”
This provoked an insightful reply from Tiafoe: “A lot of people say you need to focus more. All right, cool, yeah, probably right, but that’s how I got here. I got here by being me.
“Obviously, you can tighten the screws a little bit, but I’m my best when I’m having fun and enjoying myself and being me. You tighten the screws a little bit, but don’t lose track of how you got here and who you are and how you became Frances Tiafoe.
“I love the game. It’s who my personality is, my game style. Very exciting and unpredictable. Do anything at any time. Whether it works or doesn’t, but I’m dangerous. I’m a dangerous player.
“Just having a level of confidence. I think my personality also shows a level of confidence. I don’t really care about people’s opinions of me. I know the guy I am. I know I’m solid. I’m just going to be me, man.
“A lot of people I’m around, what you see is what you get. Same energy people give me, I give them. Show love all around. Whether you don’t to me, I don’t really care.
“So I take life for what it is, man. It’s an amazing thing.”
Earlier this week, Tiafoe revealed how his relationship with Ben Shelton has changed over the years, having played doubles with him in DC and is now set to face him in singles.
Frances Tiafoe always thrives when returning to America
Tiafoe, quite clearly, loves to play in front of a crowd. Especially the American ones, which buzz off the entertainment factor he can bring to a court.
He is an all-action, energetic and enthralling player to watch, capable of some truly special shots.
And, when given the chance, he loves to encourage the crowd to up the noise too, which in turn seems to boost his game.
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It’s a symbiotic relationship that is only enhanced upon his return to the US, likely explaining why this portion of the tour is so often his most successful.
Last year, he reached the semi-finals of the Washington Open, before then soaring into the Cincinnati Open final, where he was beaten by Jannik Sinner.
It marked the perfect preparation for his run at the US Open, which culminated in a narrow five-set defeat in the semi-finals.
Hopefully, he can surpass those various impressive feats this time around.