Frances Tiafoe draws necessary motivation from WNBA player Aja Wilson, wears her jersey ahead of title pursuit in Acapulco
American tennis star Frances Tiafoe donned WNBA player Aja Wilson's jersey during a practice session for the upcoming Mexican Open in Acapulco.
Wilson plays for the Las Vegas Aces and won her first WNBA MVP (Most Valuable Player) in 2020. She also won the gold medal along with the American team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She led her team to win the 2022 WNBA Championships against the Connecticut Suns, the first title in history for the Aces.
Tiafoe, who is in Acapulco, Mexico to play the 2023 Mexican Open, donned Wilson's Jersey during a training session and posted a story on his Instagram highlighting her prowess.
"Gotta rock @aja22wilson she collllddd" Tiafoe captioned the story
The 25-year-old American is set to play in the Round of 32 at Acapulco against Yoshihito Nishioka.
Frances Tiafoe reaches Acapulco for the upcoming Mexican Open
The Mexican Open, an ATP 500 tournament that is slated to begin on Tuesday, February 24 will see various top-ranked players in action battling it out for the title.
Tiafoe is gunning to win his first Acapulco title.The 25-year-old has played three-set matches every year at the clay court tournament but has been unable to convert them into wins and cross the Round of 16.
In 2019 Tiafoe was defeated by compatriot Mackenzie McDonald in the Round of 16 in three sets 6-7, 7-5,6-3.
In 2020, the World No. 15 was ousted in the first round at Acapulco by Swiss star Stan Wawrinka in three sets, 6-3, 6(4)-7, 7-6(1). In 2021, the American was ousted by Italian Lorenzo Musetti 2-6, 6-3, 7-6.
This year he will start his campaign against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.
The American, who turned pro in 2015, has proven to be a serious competitor on the ATP tour but is yet to win an ATP title or a Grand Slam title.
The American has caused some major upsets in the past when he defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Laver Cup last year, helping his team, Team World, win their first title at the prestigious tournament.
At the US Open last year, Tiafoe defeated former four-time US Open champion and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the Round of 16 (fourth round) in four sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.