Frances Tiafoe has always brought electrical energy to the Tour, but the ATP Masters 1000 Stage has a special meaning for the American.
From parties in Madrid with football icons to dreaming of lifting the trophy in the Toronto’s birthplace of his girlfriend, these tournaments mix the competition with culture in a way he thrives. Tiafoe, who reached his first final at that level in Cincinnati last year, recently sat down with Atptour.com to open his favorite ATP Masters 1000 reminder.
What is your favorite ATP Masters 1000 Host City and why?
Madrid is fire, I love Madrid. I am cool with some boys at Real Madrid, I love hanging out with those guys, that’s cool. The food there is great, the people are so nice. Party is fire, the nightlife is great. The city itself is cool. I love places where you can walk around: there is a lot of good dining, there is a good energy nearby. Going to real Madrid competitions is fun.
What is your favorite competition profit at a Masters 1000?
Against Rune to make the final in Cincinnati last year, it was a crazy match. Clearly making my first final on a Masters series, that was great.
Tiafoe Saves Two match points vs. Rune to reach Cincinnati 2024 Final:
Do you remember your debut on the main shelter at a Masters 1000 event?
Yes, I played Fritz! I remember thinking: ‘What are the opportunities? We are both young, coming ‘. He actually did well, in the top 100 I was just outside. I played very well and I remember that many more people thought he was going to win, and then I came out and won. I was pretty pumped.
Which Masters 1000 would you like to win the most?
I would take one of them, but if I had to choose one, probably Toronto with my girl who was from there. Toronto would be sick. They would also be great any of those in the United States.
Do you have a dream opponent to beat in the final?
All best: Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev, Nole [Djokovic]. In the final you want to beat one of the best players in the world, no doubt. In Cincinnati I played Sinner in the final. If you win that, you feel super filled. You can’t run away from the fight.
What is your favorite court at a Masters 1000?
Indian Wells Center Court, it’s sick.
Frances Tiafoe reached the semi-final in Indian Wells in 2023. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty images.
Were there a large Masters 1000 matches that stood out when you were younger?
Rafa-Novak, Madrid ’09. Rafa was off the match points, he hit a crazy forehand inside to save match point … It was an absolute war. That is one that stands out.
Are there competitions of the recent times that are standing out?
Alcaraz-Sinner, Miami 2023, the level they played was just crazy. One of my favorite matches of all time at a Masters 1000 is now an old school: Kyrgios federer, Miami 2017. The level … crazy.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
#Masters #Frances #Tiafoe