American Frances Tiafoe has emerged as a huge star at this Australian Open, reaching the round of 16 for the first time and playing box office tennis followed by even bigger box office celebrations.
Even for those who know Tiafoe well, his performance in Melbourne has been a revelation because we are getting to see him on the biggest stage in the game playing at his peak.
At just 20 years of age, Tiafoe has come a long way in a few years. He’ll reach a new career-high ranking after the Australian Open and if he can get past Grigor Dimitrov on Day 7 he will make his Top 30 debut. It could just be the beginning for Tiafoe.
The American certainly believes that he belongs with the top players and he made that clear after earning his first ever five-set win on Day 5, when he defeated Andreas Seppi in five sets.
“I feel like I have a chance against anyone when I step on the court. I love playing in big stages,” he said. “I always play well. Whether or not I get the win or not, it's irrelevant. I always play a good match. I usually put myself in a position to win the match. Lately I have been doing it, since last year.”
Tiafoe has a big personality and as he progresses through the draw it is becoming more and more apparent that he belongs on the big stage. Call it a je ne sais quoi. Call it charisma. Call it attitude—personality. Whatever you call it, Tiafoe has it in spades.
And he wants more of what the big stage has to offer.
“Now I just kind of thrive for those moments, I want those moments,” he said. Dimitrov won the only meeting with Tiafoe in a third-set breaker, but the American is only taking confidence from that loss, suffered in Toronto last season.
“I'm not going to be an easy out for him,” he said, adding: “It should be good. We're good friends. Yeah, he's going to come out obviously just competing like crazy. So am I.”