American teenager Frances Tiafoe loses in Grand Slam debut
PARIS – Struggling to win games against an established top-50 player, Frances Tiafoe dropped his racket and raised his arms in triumph at one point early in the third set. What was he celebrating? Holding his serve.
It was a largely frustrating Grand Slam debut for Tiafoe, the 17-year-old American playing in the first round of the French Open. World No. 36 Martin Klizan beat the teen, the youngest player in the men's draw, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.
"Frances is young and he needs experience," Jay Berger, the head of men's tennis for the USTA, told USA TODAY Sports. "He needs more moments like this and more times playing against guys who are at that level. He gets to see what he needs to work on and get comfortable on this stage. He'll start to figure things out from here."
Tiafoe won a wild card through the USTA Pro Circuit in early May, having accumulated the most ranking points among U.S. men to earn the trip to Paris.
Ranked outside the top 1,100 at the beginning of the year, the teenager, who grew up in Maryland, is a career-high No. 287 this week.
"It was great. I had a blast. I didn't play my best today," said a smiling Tiafoe after the loss. "I knew it was going to be a tough match. In the third set I started playing a little better and had some opportunities. The crowd was great. Hopefully I can play again in the main draw next year."
From one compatriot's perspective, there will be next year – and many more.
"He's talented. He's very talented. He's hard working, which is what you would like to see," said American Steve Johnson, the world No. 56. "You kind of see maybe sometimes the good juniors are a little lazy. … But he puts in the work. I've seen him out on the practice courts and in the gym, which is great."
Tiafoe is largely seen as the next great hope in American men's tennis, a nation desperate for a men's tennis star after eras of John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick (among many others) are now long gone. No American man has won a Grand Slam since 2003 (Roddick at the US Open) and none here in Paris since Agassi in 1999.
Tiafoe said being on the grounds at Roland Garros has been an eye opener and a motivator. Smiley and bashful, he hasn't worked up the courage to talk to top players yet.
"It's definitely different, walking around, seeing the greats in the locker room," Tiafoe said. "I'm used to seeing so many juniors, and I don't really say that much because I don't want to piss off anyone, just be in the corner. But, no, it's great. I think I deserve to be there."
Despite the straight-set loss, Berger said there are positives to take away. Tiafoe stopped working with longtime coach Misha Kouznetsov last month and is now a part of the USTA Player Development program, for which Berger works.
"There's a lot to build on. You see what kind of let you down and what worked," Berger said of the match. "It was a good experience for him. He'll go out there and play a (lower-level) Challenger next week on red clay."
"It's not going to be his last Grand Slam, I'll tell that you much," said Johnson, who is into the second round after a win Sunday. "He's a great tennis player and a good kid. He's going to mistake those junior mistakes. He's going to do it. That's life. … He's willing to learn and change, and I think he's going to have a very successful career ahead of him. I just can't wait to watch it and help any way I can."
Tiafoe brings patented flair to the court, and plenty of personality. The youngster signed with Roc Nation Sports, a new venture headed by musician Jay Z, and turned pro in early April.
On Monday, the crowd at Court 5 got behind the youngster when it could. Tiafoe demonstrated deft touch at one point, hitting a drop shot and then beautifully lobbing Klizan, the Slovakian, for a winner. Tiafoe raised his arms to pump up the fans, which responded with louder cheers.
"It was a good match and he was fighting good. The third set was very close," Klizan told reporters. "What I can say? If he uses the chance, if he works hard, then he can be good. I can't say if he's going to be top 10 or top 100. Nobody knows, and it's just all about him."
Last year as the No. 1 junior player here, on the court adjacent to this one, Tiafoe served as a practice partner for Rafael Nadal. The attention showered on him the last two weeks – as the U.S. wild card, as a teenager, as a first-time major player – is something he took in stride.
"In juniors, a lot of people were looking up to me when I was the No. 1 seed," Tiafoe said, cracking another smile. "Now I'm looking up to everyone here. It was definitely a lot different. But, I mean, I've got to get used to it, I guess.
"(I've) got to also know where I stand and know there is a long way to go from where I really want to be. I never really let any of that get to me, because I know it still is a long way for me to get to the top."
PHOTOS: 2015 French Open
