Frances Tiafoe raved about getting a pep talk from Serena Williams before his Round of 16 win over Alexei Popyrin at the US Open.
On Sunday, Williams – who retired from tennis in 2022 – returned to Flushing as a spectator as stars packed the stands for Day Seven of the tournament.
Speaking after his 6-4, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 win at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Tiafoe talked about seeing the tennis legend in the venue and their pre-match interaction.
‘It’s crazy seeing her not playing. It’s still wild,’ Tiafoe said. ‘But I mean, you know, for her wanting to come out and talk to me before the match, telling me she’s always following no matter what, telling me it’s so good to see now that I’m done, you’re the guy of color playing and doing well.
‘I’m, like, going to come from her, that’s a loud sentence,’ he added. ‘I’m, like, damn. That’s really, really cool that she sees me as that.’
Frances Tiafoe spoke about his conversation with Serena Williams at the US Open on Sunday
Williams gave Tiafoe a pep talk before his Round of 16 win over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin
‘Her telling me she just wants nothing but the best for me, giving me some game right before the match, how are you feeling, where you at? It’s so funny her asking me that,’ Tiafoe continued. ‘I’m like nervous to respond. She’s not someone you’re going to bullshit and say, like… She’s not trying to hear that.’
‘Yeah, I was just like — you know, it’s between us. Whatever, our conversation is between us, but it was really cool to have her want to talk to me before a match and really say she wants me to do this thing and that I’m capable of doing it.’
‘It coming from her, I mean, it’s just so loud. I don’t think it will hit me like that if anybody else said it to me.’
Tiafoe’s victory over his Australian counterpart came after a five-set slugfest against Ben Shelton in the third round. The win secured a quarter-final spot to take on Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday.
Tiafoe won the showdown with the scores 6-4, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Tiafoe will face Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in a quarterfinal match on Tuesday
Dimitrov won against Andrey Rublev in five sets with the scores 6-3, 7-6, 1-6, 3-6, 6-3
Williams enjoyed the action at Flushing with American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys
Like Tiafoe, Dimitrov also received a pep talk from Williams before his win over Andrey Rublev.
‘For some reason not in front of her,’ Dimitrov said. ‘She gave me a good pep talk yesterday. Yep, I know, exactly. I’m thrilled.’
‘It’s amazing honestly to play in front of you guys, in front of good friends and family,’ Dimitrov added of playing in front of Williams and Keys. ‘All in all, it’s a tremendous atmosphere so again thank you all. Thank you so much for the support.’
Aside from playing cheerleader for Dimitrov and Tiafoe, Williams was also spotted sharing a moment with Taylor Fritz. Her fellow American secured a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over Casper Rudd and will face Alexander Zverev in Tuesday’s quarterfinal.
Williams ended her legendary career with 73 titles and a 192-35 record. Her decorated trophy case included US Open victories in 1999, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
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