The 2024 US Open is wanting a lot totally different than many of the latest Grand Slams, and Frances Tiafoe is loving each minute of it. No American man has gained a significant title in 21 years, however Tiafoe thinks this event is an indication issues might be altering quickly.
“That is the group,” he stated after advancing to the semifinals. “We overtly discuss it. I believe we have all been knocking on doorways.”
That is Tiafoe’s second US Open semifinal in three years. He is taking on Taylor Fritz on Friday, which can mark the primary time two People meet in a significant semifinal since Robby Ginepri and Andre Agassi on the 2005 US Open.
Fritz had by no means gotten previous a quarterfinal earlier than, however he entered this event because the top-seeded American at No. 12. In the meantime, Tiafoe entered as No. 20 and had a number of momentum after reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 remaining in Cincinnati a month prior.
They’re the one ones left standing, however there have been different American males who regarded able to additionally making a deep run. No. 13 Ben Shelton gave Tiafoe an intense five-set battle within the third spherical, whereas No. 14 Tommy Paul pressured two tiebreaks in opposition to No. 1 Jannik Sinner within the spherical of 16.
Regardless of the results of Friday’s match, both Tiafoe or Fritz will turn out to be the primary American man to achieve a significant remaining since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
“Taylor’s been out and in of the highest 10, prime 15. Myself, I used to be prime 10 at the moment final 12 months,” Tiafoe stated. “And Tommy’s knocking on the door, quarters taking part in nice. Ben’s zoned in. It is solely a matter of time. You set your self in positions, it is solely a matter of time. The sport is open. It is not prefer it as soon as was the place you make quarterfinals, you play Rafa [Nadal], and also you’re taking a look at flights.”
Tiafoe just isn’t incorrect. This calendar 12 months would be the first time since 2002 that not one of the Large 3 of tennis — Rafael Nadal, Rodger Federer and Novak Djokovic — win a Grand Slam. Djokovic, who gained the gold medal within the 2024 Paris Olympics, was upset by Alexei Popyrin within the third spherical.
Whereas making it this far is clearly an enormous accomplishment, profitable the entire thing continues to be the boogeyman on the court docket. No American man has gained a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick on the 2003 US Open. The previous world No. 1 himself will probably be cheering on whoever makes it to the title match.
“I might love nothing greater than for an American to win on Sunday,” he stated throughout the Served with Andy Roddick podcast. “That may simply fill my cup up. It is not unburdening me. I hate it.
“I get this anxious feeling each time they need to reply for it. I f—ing hate it for them. I would like them to have it. I would like them within the clear. And albeit talking, if one in every of them breaks this factor, they may all begin contending often. Like, the dam breaks after which it goes. They do not need to play in opposition to ghosts. I hope it occurs, we’ll see.”
