Frances Tiafoe
As the youngest member of the Top 100 in the ATP Singles Rankings, Frances Tiafoe is a name who has very quickly built a reputation for himself in this extremely competitive and engaging sport. Having risen up the ranks to #68 in the singles rankings by the tender age of 19, the Hattsville-born star ha quickly built a name for himself. With a powerful right-handed playstyle and a commitment on the court which is second to none, Tiafoe has become a truly competent member of the tennis entourage. His skill, precision and close control-technique on the court has become a very impressive part of his play, having become a real contender for the years to come.
If he continues to develop at the level that he is, then Tiafoe is sure to see many trophies come his way. Having been playing with a racquet since the age of three alongside his twin brother, Franklin, Tiafoe has always had a connection and a love for the sport. His father Frances and mother Alphina were hugely encouraging, and it helped to create an environment that made progress and improvement so possible.
He’s a product of the famous Junior Tennis Championships Center in College Park. There, alongside his father, a Sierra Leon immigrant, the facility was built. His father played a key role in its construction and served as the Head of Maintenance for the facility afterward. This homely feeling at training made it easier for Tiafoe to develop his skills, coming to work with their father and spending all day training and playing with his brother.
Now a full-blown US prodigy, Tiafoe has become a popular player on the clay circuits. His immense power and his accuracy stands in good stead with the turf, and it makes it easy for him to stand out from the crowd. His incredible power and natural athleticism makes him a natural fit for his favourite tournament, too, which is Indian Wells.
While there’s still a long way to go until Tiafoe reaches his peak, he’s already beginning to show an incredible level of consistency. Definitely one to watch in the years to come.
