Frances Tiafoe interview: I respect Andy Murray most of the big four

If there was an award for best smile in tennis, Frances Tiafoe would win it every time. It is hard not to be swept up by the American’s big broad grin, energy and charisma.

However, as he prepares to begin his Wimbledon campaign, there is something that irritates him about his previous six visits – he has never played on Centre Court.

“It bothers me,” he declares, sitting on a Court 1 balcony overlooking Wimbledon Park. “Especially because of where I have been ranked. I’ve lost a lot of third rounds here, which would have put me in a position to play a big match on Centre. I had one year [2018] where I lost to Karen [Khachanov] and it would have been Novak [Djokovic] in the fourth round. I’ve played on Centre Court everywhere but here. We gotta change that.

“I think I’d be elite on that court. It’s the pinnacle of the sport to play here. You feel the history when you walk around. How prestigious it is. It’s where the game started, on grass, wearing all white. I like the tradition, even though I’m not a tradition guy. To have it one time a year and feel that is really cool.”

After the high of breaking into the world’s top 10 for the first time 12 months ago, this year has been more of a struggle for the 26-year-old, who readily admits things have become “a little loose”.

Now ranked 30th in the world, Tiafoe is one of five American men in the top 30, which is more than any other country. Yet that has not correlated with success at the grand slams, especially compared to the nation’s women on the WTA Tour.

The last male major winner was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open. Since then, women have racked up 23 grand slams, while the men have reached a final on just five occasions, the last coming in 2009 (Roddick at Wimbledon). Much of that, of course, can be attributed to the dominance of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. However, a new order has emerged, led by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have claimed four of the past seven majors and are seeds one and three (Djokovic is two) at Wimbledon this year.

Tiafoe’s best grand slam result came at the 2022 US Open when his memorable run was ended in the semi-finals by eventual winner Alcaraz. While he feels a window has opened for America to finally end its drought, he concedes Sinner and Alcaraz may become a new roadblock to his aspirations.

“I think we are very close,” he says. “Tommy [Paul] just won Queen’s. Taylor [Fritz] has been playing great for a long time. Ben [Shelton] beat me to make the US Open semi last year. [Sebastian] Korda is capable and no matter where I’m ranked, I’m obviously very capable [of winning].

“I’d like to be the next one to win. With Wimbledon and the US Open, I don’t know what it is, but I feel like I’m at my best there, especially New York. That’s one I want to win more than anything. The sport is pretty open right now. I think it needs to happen sooner rather than later because Sinner and Alcaraz are going to be a problem. Even if they became a big two, everyone is beatable. [Daniil] Medvedev can beat them, [Alexander] Zverev too and myself. But I think they are going to be a problem.”

An awkward slip at Queens last week put Tiafoe’s participation at Wimbledon in doubt. Nevertheless, the man who wears his nickname ‘Big Foe’ on a chain around his neck believes he will be ready for his opening match against Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Monday.

Uncertainty also surrounds Andy Murray after surgery on a spinal cyst. Despite that, the two-time winner was named in the singles draw. If it proves to be his last Wimbledon, Tiafoe wants him to get the recognition he deserves.

“It’s going to sound crazy but out of all the big four, I probably have the most respect for that guy,” he says. “When you think about his career, his love for the game, being resilient, staying with it – this guy has lost in semis, finals and continued to come back – until he did it. He won the Olympics [2012 and 2016], won two Wimbledons. Before he won the US Open, everyone was saying ‘Is he ever going to win a slam? Is it really a big four?’

“You guys should worship the ground this guy walks on. He’s put his body on the line, played with a metal hip. He doesn’t need to do it. He’s got millions in the bank but he just loves the game and can’t live without it.

“To see him and everything he’s achieved, I’ve got the utmost respect for him. It’s been amazing to have him message me and want the best for me, he didn’t have to do that. He’s a guy I looked up to growing up, we have a great relationship and I hope he plays so that he gets his flowers and we send him off the right way.”

Frances Tiafoe is an Evian Global Brand Ambassador. Discover more about the importance of healthy hydration at http://Evian.com.