Google News
Frances Tiafoe was one of the most anticipated men in the ATP tournament in Washington and the American debuted with a victory in the US capital. For him, he has repeatedly stressed, Washington is a special tournament and the American is very keen on making a good impression.
The first round was not easy, with Frances struggling several times and good at playing well in the crucial moments, to beat Aslan Karatsev with a double tiebreak. A special day for Tiafoe since NBA star Kevin Durant was attending the match.
The well-known basketball player spoke after the match and used nice words for his countryman.
Frances Tiafoe made a moving revelation
At the press conference, Tiafoe talked about Durant's words for him and much more: "He is the best.
His agent told me over the weekend that he would be here, so I heard him and told him I would like to see him in the stands in my match, Kevin told me he was going to give it a try and he finally did it. I was super excited, not only him but also other NBA players like Daniel Gafford and Caldwell Pope with the latter having just won the title with Denver.
The atmosphere was great, people are going crazy here in DC and I had to get 55 tickets for friends and family. I've never sold out my first match, so I'm happy. Difficult start? He is very good and it is nice to have suffered complicated matches.
He's made Grand Slam semis, won a 500m and reached semis in a 1000m, he's really tough to deal with but luckily I served well in the highlights of the match." Finally, the tennis player almost does not believe it and admits: "I was just a kid who dreamed, I remember somehow sneaking in to watch the matches, I played with holes in my shoes and now I'm here to play this tournament.
You see NBA stars coming here to look at me, this is crazy. These are things you wish would never end, it's one of those experiences that happens once in a lifetime."