Frances Tiafoe may be among the top ranked american tennis pros, but he certainly gets a little starstruck just like everyone else.
During a recent interview d “The Pivot” podcast, the 2024 US Open semifinalist talked about his breakout success and the recognition that came with it, including the attention of other celebrities and athletes.
Frances Tiafoe, pictured here, in action during her match against Alexei Popyrin on day seven of the 2024 US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
“I’ve been saying it in real time, whoever I’m with, like, ‘Yo, I’m out here taking pictures with Taylor Swift,'” Tiafoe said, adding that he is admittedly a “Beyoncé guy.”
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“But at the moment I’m like, man, like, this is crazy, she’s the biggest star out here.”
Tiafoe, 26, said the turning point in his career was when he defeated legendary tennis pro Rafael Nadal in the fourth round of 2022 US Open. The win would take him to the quarterfinals, making him the youngest American man at 24 to reach the quarters since Andy Roddick in 2006.
However, shots with Swift are only the tip of the iceberg.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sing along at the US Open. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/GC Images)
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“Trov and Mahomes, they’re like, ‘Yo, we’re going to have you.’ [Kansas City]. They said it’s crazy for me and then they rolled out the red carpet for me,” he continued. “It’s crazy because playing tennis and being able to reach so many people and people wanting to meet me and hanging out and actually doing things, those are the things why you do what you do.”
Despite enjoying the company of celebrities, Tiafoe also enjoys his relatability with fans.
“A lot of people can see themselves in you… I’m just a regular guy, man. I’m just a guy from Maryland who just loves tennis.”
Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, Brittany Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes pose for a photo while watching a match between Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz during the men’s singles finals at the US Open tennis championships. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Tiafoe didn’t go into detail about when the hangouts with Swift, Kelce and Patrick Mahomes took place, but Kansas City Chiefs the duo was seen at the 2024 US Open for the men’s singles final between American Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner.
