World No 19 Frances Tiafoe described beating Rafael Nadal as “a life-changing moment” as he will never forget the day he shocked the Spaniard at the US Open. Tiafoe, 24, upset Nadal 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3 in this year’s US Open round-of-16.
After losing his first two meetings versus Nadal, Tiafoe defeated the Spaniard in his third attempt. “Favorite match this season, I mean, definitely, I’d say beating Rafa. Life-changing day. I feel like I broke social media that day so, that was pretty cool,” Tiafoe said in a video for the ATP Tour.
Tiafoe on beating Nadal, Roger Federer in a doubles match
After beating Nadal in a singles match, Tiafoe beat the Spaniard again at the Laver Cup – but this time in a doubles match. In the final match of Federer’s career, the Swiss and Nadal suffered a loss as Tiafoe and Jack Sock beat the two all-time greats 4-6 7-6 (2) 11-9.
“If I was to sum it up, I would say that it was a blessing. That run I had in the US Open, to then back it up with the Laver Cup. To do it in the States and to do it in London, in one of the most iconic arenas – it’s stuff you’re always going to remember.
It’s stuff to tell the grandkids one day,” Tiafoe reflected. In October, Tiafoe reached a career-high ranking of No 17 in the world. Now, his goal is to break into the top-10. “Being in the top-10, obviously, is definitely a goal.
But I am at a point right now, you know, I’d take winning a Masters Series, I’d take winning a Grand Slam than being No. 1 in the world. I think, you know, going for a run like that and almost tasting that, even knowing that after winning that, that I wouldn’t be No.
1 in the world, I would’ve been completely fine with that. So, I think that’s more what I am chasing,” Tiafoe said.
