"That's only going to light the fire under me": Frances Tiafoe opens up about how US Open 2024 semifinal defeat motivates him ahead of Australian Open

America’s Frances Tiafoe has opened up about feelings of losing the semifinal of the US Open 2024. The 26-year-old is often regarded as one of the most underrated players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category and has produced some impressive performances in the 2024 season.

The highlight of the season for Tiafoe was in the Grand Slam on his home soil, where he was within touching distance of making it to the finals. However, he ended up losing to fellow American Taylor Fritz. That result was even more disappointing as the Maryland-born was two sets up and still went on to lose the next three. Fritz became the first American player in 18 years to play in the final, where he lost to reigning world number one Italy’s Jannik Sinner with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

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Tiafoe has been recently quoted in a report on the official website of the Australian Open where he talked in detail about how he felt after losing in the semifinal of a Grand Slam despite winning the first two sets. The reigning world number 17 admitted that result ‘wasn’t easy’ for him to digest but also stated that he was happy that he lost that particular fixture to another American. Tiafoe also stated that seeing Fritz play in the final only makes him more motivated.

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“That [US Open 2024 semifinal defeat] wasn't easy,” he said. “I really thought I could have been in the final there. Thought it was pretty one-sided until that point. Again, you have to tip your hat, man. Taylor battled and he deserved to win. The guy who wins the match at the end of the day deserves to win. Happy it was an American at the end of the day. It was great to see him play a final. That's only going to light the fire under me to keep going, keep working.”

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