Frances Tiafoe Didn't Pull Out an Upset on Alcaraz, But She Got Her Swagger at Wimbledon

Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday July 5, 2024

For the better part of the last six months, fans have been wondering: what about Big Foe?

Frances Tiafoe, who parted ways with longtime coach Wayne Ferreira, and changed coaches again recently, has struggled to find that swagger that makes him one of the best in tennis. When he suffered a Grade 1 MCL in his right knee at the Queen's Club, it looked like the incident we're talking about might have to wait a few more months.

We were wrong.

Although Tiafoe lost a tense third-round clash with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Friday on Center Court, his week-long performance at SW19 could be the spark that allows Tiafoe to catch fire on North American soil this summer.

“It was great,” Tiafoe said after falling to Alcaraz 5-7 6-2 4-6 7-6 (2) 6-2 on Friday. “It was a big thing for me to be in that place again and play a high-level game. I'm following one of the best players in the world and putting my game on display at the highest level, a platform I've never played on. So that lit a great light under me.”

After a brave fight against Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe left Center Court to a standing ovation #Wimbledon the crowd.

🎥 @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/oaDtSabn5s

– The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 5, 2024

More good news: that active smile that featured Tiafoe over the years is back along with his show-stopping tennis. And it makes him feel confident that he is on the right track again.

“I was very happy to play there,” Tiafoe told reporters. “I felt free. I really thought the game was there for me to pick up. I just take a lot of confidence from that. It's what I needed. I didn't enjoy playing. It was really tough, so to be able to do that and compete like that at such a high level, that's going to help me a lot going into the summer and obviously going into the US Open where I want to do my best as well.”

Overall, despite the loss, it was a ton of good vibes for Tiafoe. He came back from two sets down for the first time in his career in the first round, defeating Matteo Arnaldi in five. Suddenly he handled Borna Coric and reached the third round.

He didn't finish the job against Alcaraz, but he knows that even if he lost, he accomplished something important.

“I don't think I can take anything but good things,” he said. “Coming in, I wasn't sure of playing [due to the knee injury], then I did what I did. So many firsts. Time to start playing on Center Court. First to return two sets in love. So I have a few of those things in my bag.

“The biggest thing I can take away is enjoying the game and what that does for me. When I'm in that situation, I play a lot better, I play a lot more relaxed. That's the biggest take away. I hope to do that in the summer and maximize all the weeks I put in at the Open.”