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US Open 2017: Frances Tiafoe makes statement against Roger Federer

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Frances Tiafoe congratulates Roger Federer of Switzerland after their match on Day Two of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Frances Tiafoe congratulates Roger Federer of Switzerland after their match on Day Two of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Many around the ATP World Tour believe Frances Tiafoe is the next face of American tennis. He proved as much against Roger Federer at the US Open.

There’s a working theory around the ATP World Tour that Frances Tiafoe is the future of American men’s tennis. He has a rare combination of athleticism, mental toughness, and skill that’s already beginning to take shape at 19 years of age.

During the first round of the 2017 US Open, Tiafoe overcame the odds to prove that he’s deserving of every ounce of the hype he’s received.

Tiafoe received the most unfavorable of draws at Flushing Meadows. He went toe-to-toe with Roger Federer, who has 19 career Grand Slam titles and two during the 2017 calendar year alone: the Australian Open and Wimbledon, in the first round.

Federer emerged victorious, but Tiafoe took him to the brink of defeat in a 6-4, 2-6, 1-6, 6-1, 4-6 instant classic.

The result was as expected, but the process of securing that victory was as difficult as it’s been at any point this season for Federer.

Tiafoe joins Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori, and Stan Wawrinka as the only men to take Federer to five sets at a Grand Slam in 2017. That alone is reason to be impressed by Tiafoe, as his success is rivaled only by three of the Top 10 players in the world.

Perhaps more importantly, Tiafoe played one of the best matches of his career, and managed to make Federer look overmatched for at least two of the five sets.

It may take time for Tiafoe to realize his full potential, but this was a tremendous step in the right direction.

Tiafoe entered the 2017 US Open ranked No. 70 on the ATP World Tour. He’s the youngest player ranked in the Top 70, and is coming off of an upset of Alexander Zverev at the 2017 Western & Southern Open.

Tiafoe may have lost in the first round at the 2017 US Open, but his brilliant play against Federer and his win over Zverev is a sign of things to come.

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No American male has won a Grand Slam event since Andy Roddick in 2003. Frances Tiafoe may just be the player who one day ends that drought.

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