2021 Vienna Open finalist Frances Tiafoe has bigger goals and dreams in sight going forward


2021 Vienna Open finalist Frances Tiafoe has bigger goals and dreams in sight going forward

Frances Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe is a surprise finalist at the ongoing Vienna Open. On the way, the American once again stunned World No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals and followed it up, by beating the World No.11 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.

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Tiafoe had already upset the Greek superstar in the opening round of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. Since July, the 23-year-old has won four out of five matches against the top-10 players, and backed it up this week in Vienna by beating a few top-20 players for the first time in a same tournament.

Tiafoe will now take on World No.4 Alexander Zverev in the finals of the Vienna Open. Speaking about his recent turn around, Tiafoe is confident of getting better going forward in 2022 and also mentioned how he has always been confident of beating the top guys on the tour.

“It wasn’t a question of can I beat these guys? It was: can I do it day in and day out?” Tiafoe told tennismajors. “I’ve made changes, I’ve sacrificed things. I’m growing up. Life happened. I’m going to be 24 (next January) so yeah, I’m happy and I’m ready to go for it tomorrow again.” 

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The American was also asked to explain whether he worked on the mental aspect of the game, rather than the game-play and technique. In response, the World No.49 explained how hiring South African coach, Wayne Ferreira and maintaining clarity helped him.

New coach and focus helped me in 2021

Frances Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe

“100 percent. And still being you. You don’t have to change who you are to be successful, and I think I was just tightening up the screws. Hiring [coach Wayne Ferreira] was big, and just being me but [telling myself] – Let’s lock in a little bit. Let’s take this career seriously, these next six, seven years and try to get the most out of myself,” Tiafoe added.

For the year, Tiafoe has won 38 matches and lost 24. He is also expected to play the upcoming Paris Masters next month. “I know what I can do, I don’t think anyone has ever doubted that, but it’s you know: What does Frances Tiafoe look like on a day-to-day basis?” the Maryland born player said.

Also read: ‘Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero asked me to be aggressive against Matteo Berrettini,’ says Carlos Alcaraz

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