Frances Tiafoe Sends Clear Warning to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Ahead of the US Open

Seeded 17th, Frances Tiafoe will commence his US Open campaign against Yoshihito Nishioka.

Frances Tiafoe Sends Clear Warning to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Ahead of the US Open

Credits: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (image via Wimbledon), Frances Tiafoe (image via US Open)

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Frances Tiafoe is seeded 17th at the US Open this year. He made it to the semifinal of this Grand Slam twice – in 2022 and 2024. Ahead of his US Open campaign, the American tennis star talked to the press, particularly about the Jannik Sinner–Carlos Alcaraz rivalry.

Sinner and Alcaraz have dominated the tour, sharing the last 7 Grand Slams between them. They’ve also reached the finals of the last two Grand Slams. Their rivalry marks a new chapter in tennis after the Big 3 era. However, Tiafoe believes that this rivalry can be challenged and also stressed on the necessity of doing so:

I respect them. They’re incredible players. They’re so young and they’re going to be at the top for a while, but you can’t just put them on a pedestal. I have a lot of respect for those guys, but I believe I can beat them.

Tiafoe has a 1-4 head-to-head record over Sinner and a 1-2 head-to-head record over Alcaraz, with his sole win over the Spaniard coming on clay. However, Tiafoe hasn’t defeated either player since 2021.

Sinner will be aiming for his third Grand Slam title of the season and will also be looking to become the next person after Roger Federer to defend his US Open title. Federer won five consecutive US Open titles from 2004 to 2008. Alcaraz, who, recently won the Cincinnati Open will be aiming for a second title at Flushing Meadows.

Frances Tiafoe gives his take on who will win more Grand Slams between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Among other things, Frances Tiafoe was also asked his opinion on who would win more Grand Slams between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz, at the age of 22 has five Grand Slams. He has defended both his Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles already, and won the US Open title in 2022.

Sinner, at the age of 24 has won four Grand Slams, two at the Australian Open, and one at Wimbledon and US Open. Tiafoe tipped the Spaniard to win more Grand Slam titles:

If I had to honestly do it, I’m taking Carlos. I mean, all-court game. It’s very, very tight, but I’m still taking Carlos.

Jannik Sinner Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon 2025
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (image via Wimbledon)

After the US Open, Tiafoe’s next best performances at a Grand Slam have been at the Australian Open and Roland Garros where he has reached the quarterfinals. Tiafoe, has not won any tournaments this season, having reached the final of only one event this year at the ATP 250 event in Houston.

Frances Tiafoe’s 2025 US Open draw

In the US Open this year, Frances Tiafoe could meet 11th seed Holger Rune in the third round, 7th seed Novak Djokovic in the fourth round, fourth seed Taylor Fritz or 16th seed Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinal, second seed Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal and top seed Jannik Sinner in the final.

Tiafoe has 800 points to defend in this tournament and will commence his campaign against Yoshihito Nishioka. Tiafoe has a 3-2 head-to-head record over the Japanese player, but Nishioka has won the last two meetings.

Frances Tiafoe Washington Open 2025
Frances Tiafoe (image via Instagram @bigfoe1998)

In the North American hard court swing this season, Tiafoe reached the fourth round of both the Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati. Last year, Tiafoe fell to fellow countryman in five sets in the semifinal at the US Open and also pushed eventual champion Alcaraz to five sets in the semifinals of the US Open in 2022.

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