The wash-up of Carlos Alcaraz snatching victory from the jaws of defeat on Wimbledon’s Centre Court could have gone one of two ways for Frances Tiafoe six months ago.
Mired in a stretch of premature exits and waning motivation through the first half of 2024, Tiafoe was not prepared to accept life outside the top 20 having climbed as high as world No.10.
Frustration was to be expected, but it did little to help the 26-year-old find his groove again in the months prior to his appearance in London.
Two sets to one to the good and 0-30 on the Spaniard’s serve at 4-all in the fourth had the American on the cusp of an enormous upset of the defending champion in the third round.
Alcaraz survived and never looked back following his great escape, but the result was not as detrimental to Tiafoe’s confidence as many predicted.
“I think really playing Carlos there at Wimbledon, still tough to swallow. It was definitely on my racquet there,” Tiafoe said. “I started to get that love again. I was kind of losing that, just lost, not really wanting to be out there.
“Wasn't having fun playing at all. Once I had the standing ovation, people actually appreciating what I do, I got that feeling again. Once I came back to the States, I played home in DC. Then you just kind of keep going.
“Had a good win against Andrey [Rublev]. Good team camaraderie. Ever since then I feel like I'm in a great place.”
Immediately following Wimbledon in July, Tiafoe started working with the esteemed David Witt – former coach of Venus Williams and Jessica Pegula.
It was a combination built less on talking tennis, more on American football and jokes at the other’s expense. It was a partnership that paid off swiftly and handsomely.
That win over Rublev sent him into the semifinals in his home tournament in Washington, DC. Then came his maiden Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati. Despite defeat to world No.1 Jannik Sinner it catapulted him back inside the top 20.
The Witt effect took hold just when Tiafoe needed it most.
“He instilled a lot of confidence. The biggest thing, he came on focusing on competing, focusing on understanding that I'm one of the best players in the world,” he said. “I lost sight of that for a little bit.
“As far as pertaining to my game, my return of serve has improved a lot since I started working with him. Then first strike. Use my speed to be aggressive, not defensive.
“Looking to dictate play from the middle of the court, play closer up to the baseline, play faster. I think I've played much faster since he came on, which that's when I'm really tough, using my hands, stuff like that, try to get in as much as I can.
“Doesn't take a rocket scientist, but he did it in the right way. We just have a great rapport. He's a funny guy, laid back. I think I needed that.”
Tiafoe opened his 2025 season with victory over Australian Adam Walton before he succumbed to the giant-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Brisbane International.
While it was difficult to take much away from a loss in which your opponent served at 200km/h – first and second delivery – Tiafoe needed no reminder of the fuel a loss could provide for his future.
His defeat in a second US Open semifinal in September was particularly bittersweet, having led good friend Taylor Fritz two sets to love for a place in a maiden Grand Slam decider.
“That wasn't easy. I really thought I could have been in the final there,” Tiafoe said. “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.”