Frances Tiafoe expressed his deep disappointment following his heartbreaking five-set loss to fellow American Taylor Fritz in the semifinals of the US Open. Tiafoe, who was vying for his first major final, initially took a lead by winning the first and third sets but ultimately succumbed to Fritz after experiencing cramps in the decisive set.
“It’s really, really tough. Really, really tough to swallow. This one is going to hurt really, really bad,” Tiafoe remarked during his post-match interview. He reflected on his performance, stating he believed he was the better player but struggled with cramps that impeded his ability to finish strong. “In the fourth, I just felt my body kind of shut down on me,” he added.
Tiafoe noted that nerves may have contributed to his physical struggles, suggesting that the pressure of reaching the final took a toll on him. Despite using hydration strategies during the match, he could not overcome Fritz, who is looking to become the first American to win a major title since Andy Roddick in 2003.
“I tried to give everything for the fifth set. I was doing everything I could,” Tiafoe explained, highlighting the intense efforts he made to push through. He remains optimistic despite the setback, having improved to No. 16 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and maintaining an outside shot at qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals.
Reflecting on the experience, Tiafoe stated, “This is going to hurt, but I’m going to learn from this. I’m going to work really hard. I’m going to be in these positions again, for sure. Just hoping for a different outcome.” Looking ahead, he plans to finish the year strong, compete in upcoming tournaments, and maintain his focus on future opportunities.