Inspirational American star nicknamed 'Big Foe' who lit up stadiums with his personality and power game.
Frances Tiafoe was born on 20 January 1998 in Hyattsville, Maryland, to Sierra Leonean immigrant parents. His father was a maintenance worker at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, where Tiafoe essentially grew up living and training. His story is one of the most inspiring in tennis — going from sleeping in a storage room to competing on the world stage. He won his first ATP title in 2018 and reached the 2022 US Open semi-finals, defeating Rafael Nadal along the way, in one of the most electric moments in recent major history. Known for his infectious energy and big-match temperament.
US Open Semi-finalist 2022
He grew up literally sleeping at a tennis academy where his father worked as a maintenance man — one of sport's great rags-to-riches stories.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- US Open Semi-finalist 2022