Francis Tiafoe spends day with the Delray Beach Youth Tennis Federation
DELRAY BEACH — Francis Tiafoe mingled easily with the kids from the Delray Beach Youth Tennis Foundation, flashing his infectious smile and “Big Foe’’ neck chain.
It wasn’t hard to imagine the boost tennis would get in the United States if the Boca Raton resident ever won a Grand Slam.
Monday at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, Tiafoe chatted, joked, played some doubles with the foundation kids aged 7 to 14.
When Tiafoe’s doubles partner, 14-year-old Lamar Hayme, cracked a sizzling forehand winner, Tiafoe bellowed, “You’re going big, big.’’
Tiafoe, the Washington D.C. native ranked 17th, has come close to winning a Slam, making two U.S. Open semifinals, including last year’s extravaganza in Flushing Meadows. New York is where he plays his best tennis.
It is true American women’s players have seized majors aplenty in the last 22 years, - from the Williams sisters, to Coco Gauff (2023 U.S. Open) to Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open). The latest to do it was Madison Keys, Tiafoe’s close friend, in the Australian Open in January.
But no American male has captured a major since Andy Roddick’s U.S Open title in 2003. And it stings.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while - every time the U.S. Open comes around, I’m thinking this is my year,’’ Tiafoe said. “That’s where I play my best tennis. Maddie‘s thing, I’ve wanted that for a very long time. Maddie’s victory doesn’t make me want it more than I already want it. Nothing I want to do more than to win a Slam. And to win the Open, if it comes, we’ll see the after-effects.’’
Francis Tiafoe seeded 16th at Miami Open
Tiafoe, the 16th seed in the Miami Open that begins this week at Hard Rock Stadium, established his own tennis foundation two years ago – the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund. That’s what brought him to Atlantic Avenue for Monday’s clinic.
“It’s been so smooth,’’ Tiafoe said of youth events he’s done in cities such as Dallas, Houston and Charlotte. “We don’t play much in The States but every time we do, we do something special with it.’’
Tiafoe’s twin brother, Franklin, was a teaching pro at Delray Beach Tennis Center a few years ago. He now is coaching Maryland's Hailey Baptiste.
“My brother worked here, I practice here sometimes, so I’m super familiar with the area,’’ Tiafoe said. “To do an event here, it’s very special to have fun with these kids I’ve been super blessed and lucky in my career to get to where I am today. I take these days very seriously - to be part of the game moving forward and introduce it to everyone.’’
In Tiafoe lore, he started out playing in NJTL programs in Maryland. His father worked in a country club as a janitor and little Francis would whack balls on the tennis courts at age 4.
Tiafoe embraces the Delray organization founded by Kathy Reinmund and Peg Prez in 2015.
“To see these kids have aspirations is truly amazing,’’ Tiafoe said. “One of the biggest things I’m happy about with all the things I’ve accomplished.”
During one segment, the kids were handed a microphone to interview Tiafoe. “What advice would you give now to your younger self?’’ Hayme asked.
“Be a better listener,’’ Tiafoe said smiling. “You don’t know everything.’’
Tiafoe will commute the 35-40 minutes to the Miami Open, which he feels gives him an edge.
During the pandemic, Tiafoe, 27, moved to Boynton Beach with his father. Then he got his own place two years ago in Boca with his girlfriend.
“I like living here,’’ Tiafoe said. “It’s a tennis mecca out here in Boca. It’s not my hometown like DC, it’s totally different, slower, easier to get around. I live here with my girlfriend, so when we do basic things, going to Target, people are excited. I enjoy being here, but there’s still no place like Maryland, seeing my friends, family and my favorite sports teams.’’
Tiafoe is friends with Gauff but has known the 30-year-old Keys a lot longer. Keys captured the 2025 Aussie Open in upsetting Aryna Sabalenka.
“Maddie has been incredible for a really long time, but to take it to the next level and get a Slam done, it’s huge,’’ Tiafoe said. “She’s been a phenomenal player for a long time. I’m so happy she got the monkey off her back. Icing on the cake. We get along super well and I’m super happy for her. I joke around with her all the time.’’
At Indian Wells last week, Tiafoe was stunned early in losing to Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki. But when Tiafoe gets going, he’s hotter than Boca Raton in July.
Tiafoe may have to face Alexander Zverev in the fourth round in Miami. There is no Jannik Sinner, suspended for testing positive to a banned substance.
“I’m going to be staying home,’’ Tiafoe said. “It only takes a week to get yourself going on. I’m always up for the task. Put your head down and get a little momentum with one, two, three matches under me and you find yourself in the quarterfinals. Then anything can happen. The game is so open right now. (Jack) Draper winning his first ATP title (in Indian Wells), I don’t think anyone is unbeatable.’’
The clinic participant, Hayme, had a joyous afternoon. “I liked his responses and watching him play,’’ Hayme said. “I want to get to his level. I think it’s cool he came today.’’
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Francis Tiafoe works with young tennis players on Delray Beach courts
Topics
-
Emma Raducanu vs Sayaka Ishii LIVE: Miami Open latest score and updates
Britain’s No 2 is first in action on the Hard Rock Stadium courtYahoo Sports - 47m -
Miami Beach commissioners to vote on mayor's plan to end lease of theater that screened Israeli-Palestinian film
Miami Beach commissioners will vote Wednesday on the mayor's controversial proposal to revoke the lease of a local movie theater that screened an Oscar-winning documentary on the war between Israel ...NBC News - 1h -
Pirates announce ace Paul Skenes will start on opening day at Miami
Paul Skenes is going to start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day. Skenes is coming off a dominant performance in his first season in the majors. The 22-year-old right-hander went 11-3 with ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Takeaways from Indian Wells -- and what they mean for Miami Open
Will Djokovic and Swiatek turn their season around? Can Andreeva continue her incredible run? The biggest questions as the Miami Open begins.ESPN - 1h -
Miami don't 'risk' Messi in win after GK red card
Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano said he changed the game plan after goalkeeper Oscar Ustari received a red card against Charlotte FC at Chase Stadium, preventing Lionel Messi from ...ESPN - Mar. 10 -
Miami Beach mayor targets local cinema for screening Oscar winner 'No Other Land'
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner has threatened to remove a nonprofit art house cinema from city-owned property after it decided to screen the Academy Award-winning documentary 'No Other Land', ...The Hill - 5d -
Naomi Osaka targets playing ‘with the big dogs’ after gritty Miami Open win
Osaka, a former Miami finalist, came from a set and a break down to win a tricky openerYahoo Sports - 5h -
Pirates announce ace Paul Skenes will start on opening day at Miami
Paul Skenes is going to start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening dayABC News - 3d -
Second Serve: Your new weekly tennis briefing
A new teenage superstar emerges, Britain has a top-10 star again and Miami Open talking points - this is the first edition of our weekly tennis snapshot.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
ESPN analyst believes UNC win doesn't justify them in tournament still
ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg believes that UNC basketball's win over San Diego State doesn't justify anything yet.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
March Madness predictions: Cinderellas, upsets, Final Four picks and more for the NCAA men's and women's tournaments
The Madness is here. What can we expect? Our experts weigh in with their Cinderella picks, Final Four teams, title winners and more.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Throwback Thursday: Chloe Dworak, Lincoln Christian (2018) #2668
With today's persistent power outages it is encouraging to republish this feature on one of our most electric players.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Crown Notes: Hoyas to Face Lessened Cougs
Ike Watts is bouncing to other pastures. Twitter/X When the confirmation came down that Georgetown was participating in The College Basketball Crown, a new Fox Sports event being held at two, ...Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Pistons vs. Heat Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 19
Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 22m
More in Sports
-
ESPN analyst believes UNC win doesn't justify them in tournament still
ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg believes that UNC basketball's win over San Diego State doesn't justify anything yet.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
March Madness predictions: Cinderellas, upsets, Final Four picks and more for the NCAA men's and women's tournaments
The Madness is here. What can we expect? Our experts weigh in with their Cinderella picks, Final Four teams, title winners and more.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Poch: 'Big mistake' for USMNT to focus on politics
U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino dismissed the political overtones surrounding the Concacaf Nations League finals, calling it a "big mistake" for his team to discuss politics.ESPN - 20m -
'Focused' Heels stomp Aztecs, critics in First 4
RJ Davis had 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting as North Carolina, criticized around college basketball this week for landing a berth in the NCAA tournament, stomped San Diego State 95-68 in a First ...ESPN - 20m -
Ohtani homers as Dodgers sweep Cubs in Japan
Shohei Ohtani hit a solo homer in his return to the Tokyo Dome, Roki Sasaki threw three eventful innings in his big league debut, and the Dodgers beat the Cubs 6-3 to sweep the two-game series in ...ESPN - 20m