By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 7, 2024
New York—After Frances Tiafoe melted down and lost eight of the last nine games in his 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss to Taylor Fritz in Friday night’s US Open men’s singles semifinal, the 26-year-old had one thing on his mind: making sure it doesn’t happen again.
Tiafoe, who was two games from victory at one point in the fourth set, tossed in back-to-back double-faults and ended up committing four consecutive unforced errors to giftwrap the fourth set for Fritz.
He later admitted that he was suffering physical issues, likely cramping due to anxiety and stress.
“It was more later in that set at 5-4, double-double, I'm getting broken there,” he said. “I kind of felt there out of nowhere, just cramps out of nowhere. I felt fine. It wasn't even really warm or humid tonight.
“I just think the moment, I got ahead of myself, and something I'm definitely going to learn for. Promise not gonna happen to me again.”
It was a stunning turnaround, especially given just how well Tiafoe had played. Fritz said he felt overwhelmed by Tiafoe’s level and was just trying to hang on and apply scoreboard pressure to his rival.
Tiafoe, who has now dropped seven consecutive decisions to Fritz, says he plans to finish the season strong.
“I'm going to let this sting, but I'm gonna learn from this,” he said. “You know, I'm gonna work really hard. I'm going to be in these positions again, for sure. Just hoping for a different outcome.”
Despite the loss, the 26-year-old sees the US Open as a big moment for American tennis.
“I think it opened the floodgates for sure,” he said. “I think guys are gonna start believing they can go deep in slams. Tommy [Paul] has already made semis of slams, Ben [Shelton] as well, obviously him beating me last year here in the quarters. Fritz, now he's made the finals. None of us younger guys have done that.
“See what happens on Sunday, but I think a lot of guys are going to be able to think they can do it, especially in this one where later in the season, stuff like that with American crowds and what have you. I think it's big. It shows that it's definitely possible. As I said, again, the game's open. Even with Alcaraz and Sinner and these other guys, it's not what it used to be.”