Frances Tiafoe Did not Pull the Upset Towards Alcaraz, However He Discovered His Swagger at Wimbledon

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday July 5, 2024

For the higher a part of the final six months, followers have been questioning: what’s up with Large Foe?

Frances Tiafoe, who parted methods with longtime coach Wayne Ferreira, then modified coaches once more lately, has struggled to seek out that swagger that makes him probably the greatest exhibits in tennis. When he suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain to his proper knee at Queen’s Membership, it appeared that the swagger we communicate of may need to attend one other few months.

Flawed we had been.

Although Tiafoe misplaced in a heated third-round conflict with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Friday in Centre Courtroom, his efficiency throughout week one at SW19 may very well be the spark that permits Tiafoe to catch hearth on North American soil this summer season.

“It was enormous,” Tiafoe mentioned after falling to Alcaraz 5-7 6-2 4-6 7-6(2) 6-2 on Friday. “It was enormous for me to be in that setting once more and play a match of such prime quality. Me coming after probably the greatest gamers on this planet and placing my sport on show on the highest degree, a court docket I’ve by no means performed on. In order that undoubtedly sparked an enormous gentle underneath me.”

After a valiant effort towards Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe left Centre Courtroom to a standing ovation from the #Wimbledon crowd.

🎥 @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/oaDtSabn5s

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 5, 2024

Extra excellent news: that effervescent smile that has characterised Tiafoe over time got here again proper alongside along with his showstopping tennis. And it makes him really feel assured that he’s as soon as once more heading in the right direction once more.

“I had a lot enjoyable taking part in on the market,” Tiafoe advised reporters. “I felt so snug. I actually thought the match was there for me to take. I simply take plenty of confidence from that. It is one thing I wanted. I have not been completely satisfied taking part in. It has been actually robust, so to have the ability to try this and compete like that on the highest degree, that is going to assist me loads for the summer season swing and clearly going to the US Open the place I need to carry out my finest as nicely.”

All in all, regardless of the loss, it was a ton of optimistic vibes for Tiafoe. He got here again from two units down for the primary time in his life within the first spherical, defeating Matteo Arnaldi in 5. Then he dominated Borna Coric to achieve the third spherical.

He didn’t end the job towards Alcaraz, however he is aware of that even in defeat, he has achieved one thing essential.

“I believe I can take nothing however positives,” he mentioned. “Moving into, I wasn’t even positive of taking part in [due to the knee injury], after which I do what I did. So plenty of firsts. First time taking part in on Centre Courtroom. First time coming again two units to like. So I’ve these couple issues in my bag.

“Greatest factor I can take away is simply having fun with the sport and what that does for me. After I’m in that state, I play so significantly better, I play a lot freer. That is the most important factor I can take. Hopefully I try this in the summertime and maximize all of the weeks I’ve going into the Open.”