In a recent interview, Frances Tiafoe reminisced about a memorable encounter involving Serena Williams during the 2019 Hopman Cup. Tiafoe, along with fellow American players Ben Shelton and Christopher Eubanks, shared anecdotes about their experiences on the court, but Tiafoe’s story about Serena stood out for its insight into her competitive nature.
The mixed doubles match featured Tiafoe and Serena Williams facing off against Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic. Despite the high stakes and intense competition, Serena’s confidence never wavered. Tiafoe recalled her saying, “Ugh I don’t get it. We can’t lose this. He’s not better than me. I’ve got 23, he’s got 20,” referencing her 23 Grand Slam titles compared to Federer’s 20.
During the match, Federer managed to ace Serena multiple times, showcasing his powerful serve. However, Serena’s words highlighted her unwavering belief in her own abilities and her determination to compete at the highest level. This moment not only underscored Serena’s legendary status in tennis but also served as an inspiration for her peers and fans alike.
Tiafoe, Shelton, Eubanks
Frances recalls what Serena said during Federer/Bencic vs Tiafoe/Serena:
“Ugh I don’t get it. We can’t lose this. He’s not better than me. I’ve got 23, he’s got 20”.
Serena getting aced repeatedly by Federer in 2019 Hopman Cup.
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The 2019 Hopman Cup remains a significant event in tennis history, partly because of such candid moments that reveal the true spirit of the sport’s greatest players.
Frances Tiafoe in 2024
Currently the world no.29, Tiafoe played his last match on the 17th of June when he had to retire when playing against world no.77 Rinky Hijikata in the 1st round and the scoreline was 7-5 4-6 1-0 .
Presently, during this year the American owns a 13-15 record. Frances Tiafoe’s best result of this year was getting to the final in Houston.
Frances Tiafoe will face the world no.35 Matteo Arnaldi in the 1st round on Monday at 11:00 am on Court 15. In the past, they have never played each other until now in top events.
The American was the finalist in Houston (US Men’s Clay Court Championship).
Frances won 4 titles in his career: 2 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
