By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday August 1, 2023
NBA Legend Kevin Durant came to support Frances Tiafoe as the American won his opener at the Mubadala Citi Open.
Photo Source: Mubadala Citi Open
Frances Tiafoe is no stranger to having big names watch him play. Heck, he had former First Lady Michelle Obama watching him up close and personal at last year’s US Open. But tonight’s visit from 13-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant, a fellow D.C. area native, just hit different.
After defeating Aslan Karatsev 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to reach the round of 16 at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Tiafoe talked about what it was like having “KD” in the house.
“It was dope,” he told reporters. “We are both staying at the Four Seasons. I seen KD, and I'm, like, Bro, I'm going to play Tuesday, Wednesday. I don't know how long you're staying, but it would be dope if you can come – He's, like, 100 percent we're going to make it happen.”
Durant kept his word, and enjoyed the festivities as Tiafoe came through a tense struggle with Karatsev, who put up plenty of resistance across the two hour and nine minute tussle.
After the match the current member of the Phoenix Suns came out on court and gave Tiafoe a big hug, then joined the post-match interview alongside World No.10 Tiafoe.
"He's just bringing that energy from this area... we're all proud of him,” Durant said of Tiafoe.
“It was just a great atmosphere,” Tiafoe said. “Everyone is going nuts. I have never filled that stadium before in my opening match, so I guess it's a testament to how I have been doing lately.”
Tiafoe will face China’s Shang Juncheng in the second round, as he continues his quest to win his hometown tournament for the first time.
The 25-year-old, who improved to 31-11 on the year, has never been beyond the quarterfinals at the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
Tiafoe: Don't Want it to be Once in a Lifetime
Now that he's reached a US Open and backed up that performance by entering the Top 10 and winning two titles this year, Tiafoe hopes it is just the beginning of his life in the limelight.
The extraordinary circumstances of his rags to riches story, and the passion he has for the game and the spotlight, make this moment extremely special.
"I was a kid who had an opportunity and dreamed massively big. Shouldn't be doing any of these things, honestly," he said. "Sneaking into this event, telling my parents I was going to be a pro at a super young age, against all odds, wearing hand-me-down clothes, holes in my shoes, cargo shorts. Now I'm playing this tournament. People are here to see me. I'm packing it out.
"Guys like KD and [Kentavious} Caldwell-Pope and Gaff [Daniel Gafford] want to come see me play. I have just worked really hard over the years."
Tiafoe says he is humbled by the attention, and that was easy to see from the look in his eyes as he shared the mic with Durant after his win on Tuesday.
"I think it's come from a great place," he said. "I'm super humble about it. I'm humble they want to take the time out and come and watch me play. Yeah, it's so impactful, and it's one of those things you want to keep these moments going. You want to make them be a normality, not just a once-in-a-lifetime thing."