"No sweating, T shirts ironed, hair perfect; What’s up with this dude, man?" - Frances Tiafoe on seeing Roger Federer and Kevin Hart at his US Open QF
Frances Tiafoe commented on the presence of Roger Federer and actor Kevin Hart during his 2024 US Open quarterfinal win over Grigor Dimitrov. The American player jokingly remarked after the match the Swiss was dressed for the occasion with "no sweating" and "T-shirts ironed."
Federer and Hart were in attendance at the Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch 20th seed Tiafoe take on ninth seed Dimitrov in an exciting clash at the New York Major. The match, however, ended in disappointing fashion with the Bulgarian retiring due to an issue with his leg with the American leading 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-1.
Tiafoe thus advanced to his second US Open semifinal and after the match, shared his observations of Federer watching the quarterfinal in his suit. The American said that the 20-time Grand Slam winner looked the same in the stands as he did in his days on the court.
"The way he looked in the suit was the same way he looked when he was playing. No sweating. T-shirts ironed perfect, hair perfect. What’s up with this dude, man? Hair perfect. So it was just funny man.
"I give him crap about that all time. But what a guy, what a legend. So nice he’s just enjoying his life, doing his things. Like just popping in wherever he kind of wants to and everyone embraces him. Unbelievable, wherever he goes. I mean such an icon,” Tiafoe said.
Tiafoe also mentioned seeing renowned American comedian Hart in the stands.
"Ultimately, it was pretty dope but seeing Kevin Hart was sick, honestly."
Frances Tiafoe recently revisits "unreal" US Open match against Roger Federer, says match prepared him for big moments
After his win over Alexei Popyrin in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open, Frances Tiafoe revisited his five-setter against Roger Federer from 2017. The American, a teenager at the time, said going the distance with the 20-time Grand Slam winner prepared him for the big moments in tennis.
"I remember I was so amped but so nervous. I'm like, 'Dude, I'm playing Roger. He's going to be wearing the all-black Nike fit. It's going to be sick. New York, lights are so bright,'... I was like, 'This is going to be unreal,'" Tiafoe said.
Federer defeated Tiafoe 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 in their 2017 US Open meeting. Speaking of his thoughts during the match, Tiafoe said:
"And then when we went five (sets), I was just like, 'Yo, am I about to really beat this dude? This is crazy.' But I think, you know, that definitely gets said to me that I'm ready for these moments. I like to be in these moments. I'm comfortable there."
Tiafoe has set up an all-American semifinal clash at the 2024 US Open against Taylor Fritz. The winner of their match will become the first American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Andy Roddick at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships.