Frances Tiafoe He is not going through his best season. The Americanpossible rival of Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of Wimbledoncame back in his debut in the current edition of the ‘great’ of grass against Matteo Arnaldi by 7-6(5), 6-2, 1-6, 3-6 and 3-6. A fresh air solo for the 26-year-old tennis player, current 29 del rankingwhat Just a year ago he reached the third Grand Slam of the season as world number 10after being crowned in Houston on the clay and in Stuttgart on the grass.
However, the level drop in 2024accompanied by poor results achieving only two consecutive victories in the two American tournaments of Delray Beach in February and in Houstonwhere he achieved three wins to reach the final against Ben Shelton, have caused the projection of a tennis player who was called to lead the present generation of the United States, accompanied by Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton.
After a first half without results, On the grass in London, Tiafoe has managed for the first time in his career to come back from a match in which he started two sets down. Against Matteo Arnaldi, the American was able to regain sensations with a great injection of morale to turn around a game that seemed lost and it would have meant Tiafoe’s farewell at the first change in a Grand Slam, something that has not happened since 2021.
Despite achieving victory, Frances Tiafoe, US Open semi-finalist in 2022, had some harsh statements about his season and looking back a year ago. “This week last year I was top 10 and this year I’m barely seeded here. I lost to clowns and I hate to say that, but I’m just being honest“, confessed the tennis player.
This week last year I was top 10 and this year I’m barely seeded here
“I took my game for granted and settled in a little. You stop having fun and you find yourself in a strange position. So, Do you forget what you did to win? You start to doubt yourself, but that’s the game. “Not everything goes smoothly all the time,” added the American, who in the second round will face Borna Coric, with whom he has faced twice and each has taken a victory.
2024 lackluster in important tournaments
Some forceful statements that represent Tiafoe’s ordeal this year, falling against Machac (39) in the second round in Australiaswept by Tsitsipas in second round in Indian Wellsdeleted at the first change in Miami y Madrid and out of Roland Garros in the second round against Shapovalov (121). Completing a registration 13 wins and 14 losses.
A list of failures in the current season to which was added his retirement at Queen’s in his debut after a bad fall that caused him a hip injury. Now, at Wimbledon, Tiafoe seems to have found a breath of fresh air after his comeback: “It’s about how quickly you can get out of it and There is always light at the end of the tunnel, whether you try to find it with small victories or continue to feel sorry for yourself and play the victim.that’s where everything gets darker and darker.”
Time will only tell if the light at the end of the tunnel is closer or further away. Meanwhile, Tiafoe’s statements reflect the sincerity and harsh reality of the tennis player to the frustration caused by disqualifying his rivals. The next, Borna Coric and with the possibility of being measured in the third round at Carlos Alcarazwho has already been measured twice and managed to beat him in 2021 at the Conde de God�.
