"Taylor Fritz is a goofball, I'm obnoxious" - Frances Tiafoe tells all about friendship with fellow American ahead of US Open SF
Frances Tiafoe reflected on his friendship with Taylor Fritz ahead of the pair's 2024 US Open final semifinal showdown. Fritz was the first among the Americans to seal his semifinal spot at Flushing Meadows by defeating World No. 4 Alexander Zverev. Tiafoe soon followed suit, securing a walkover win over Grigor Dimitrov.
Tiafoe and Fritz have known each other since they were kids, and despite being rivals on the ATP Tour, they share a close relationship. In recent years, they have cemented themselves as the leading lights of contemporary American men's tennis. Even though Grand Slam titles have eluded the pair, they have both mustered deep runs at Majors.
After Frances Tiafoe secured a walkover into the 2024 US Open semis courtesy of Dimitrov's mid-match retirement, the 2022 semifinalist delved deep into his relationship with Taylor Fritz. The World No. 20 recalled the nascent stages of their relationship during their younger years and said that at the time, it didn't seem to him like Fritz would go on to achieve what he has as a professional tennis player.
"When I first met him (Fritz), Taylor was an odd cat, a different cat. I definitely wasn't thinking he was going to do what he's done. He's changed his body, like, unbelievable. He's really talented. He was like a part-time player. He played a couple of times a week and of course, he'll tell you, he went to a normal high school. He was a normal kid. Then he started putting more time into it," Frances Tiafoe said at a press conference (7:06).
Tiafoe also pointed out the differences in his and Fritz's respective personalities, despite acknowledging later on that as competitors, they share something in common.
"He (Fritz) is like a video gamer, never leaves the room. He's a goofball. And I'm like, loud, obnoxious at times, but he's also very funny. He's got that dry humor, smartass, but at the same time, that's why we like each other, because we're so different. Thats why we get along so well. And then, as competitors, we're very alike. Hate to lose. And we battle hard," Tiafoe added (11:50).
The 2024 US Open semifinal between Tiafoe and Fritz is set to be their eighth ATP Tour-level meeting, but only their second matchup at a Grand Slam.
Taylor Fritz the favorite on paper against Frances Tiafoe for a place in US Open 2024 final owing to dominant head-to-head record
Out of the seven times Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe have clashed on the ATP Tour, the former has triumphed on six occasions. On paper, this would certainly give him the edge over the 2022 US Open semifinalist. Tiafoe's sole victory against Fritz came way back at the 2016 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, in a first-round match.
Tiafoe was asked about his poor head-to-head record against Fritz during the press conference, but the World No. 20 shrugged it off. He suggested that the pair's 2024 US Open semifinal in Arthur Ashe Stadium is going to be a completely different match compared to their previous encounters.
"It's going to be a big one for both of us, playing for the final. I don't think those matches are anywhere near what this one's going to be. So it's kind of tough to even go from there, like playing quarters of Acapulco 500 to playing the semis at Arthur Ashe at night, it's going to be, well hopefully at night, it's a little different," Tiafoe said (8:53).
On the Grand Slam stage, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe have clashed only once before. That particular meeting came in the second round of the 2022 Australian Open, with Fritz emerging victorious in straight sets.