Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Frances Tiafoe

How Frances Tiafoe built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Frances Tiafoe Jr. is an American professional tennis player who achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 10 in singles on June 19, 2023. He holds the distinction of being the first Sierra Leonean American man to break into the top 10 of the ATP rankings.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: Chang and Sampras in French Open

In 1989, Michael Chang and Pete Sampras played in the main draw of the men's singles tournament at the French Open.

1989: Michael Chang at French Open

In 1989, Michael Chang participated in the main draw of the French Open.

1990: Andre Agassi at French Open

In 1990, Andre Agassi played in the French Open final. Tiafoe became the youngest American to reach a clay-court final in Europe since Agassi.

2002: Andy Roddick's US Clay Court Championships Win

In 2002, Andy Roddick won the US Clay Court Championships.

2010: American Men at Wimbledon

2010 marks the start date of when it became a rare feat for American men to defeat a top-three seed at Wimbledon.

2011: Roddick and Fish at US Open

From 2011, Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish have been the last American men to make it to the second week at the US Open in consecutive years.

2011: Donald Young at US Open

In 2011, Donald Young reached the round of 16 at the US Open.

December 2013: Orange Bowl Win

In December 2013, Frances Tiafoe became the youngest player to win the Orange Bowl, a high-tier Grade A event on the ITF Junior Circuit, defeating Stefan Kozlov in the final.

2013: Orange Bowl Win

In 2013, at the age of 15, Frances Tiafoe won the Orange Bowl, becoming the youngest-ever boys' singles champion of the tournament.

2014: ATP Tour Debut and US Open Appearance

In 2014, Frances Tiafoe made his ATP Tour main draw debut at the Washington Open, losing his first match. He also received a wildcard into the qualifying draw at the US Open and a wildcard into the main draw for doubles with Michael Mmoh.

2014: French Open Junior Tournament

In 2014, Frances Tiafoe was the top seed at the French Open junior tournament but was upset in the second round. He then lost at Wimbledon to Noah Rubin, and reached the semifinals of the US Open.

2014: Junior Grand Slam Results

In 2014, Frances Tiafoe's results in the junior Grand Slam tournaments included reaching the second round of the French Open, the third round of Wimbledon, and the semifinals of the US Open.

March 2015: First Professional Title

In March 2015, Frances Tiafoe claimed his first professional title by winning the ITF Futures tournament at Bakersfield.

April 2015: ATP Challenger Breakthrough

In April 2015, Frances Tiafoe broke through onto the ATP Challenger level, improving his ranking and reaching the quarterfinals of Sarasota, the semifinals of Savannah, and the final of Tallahassee. He defeated Facundo Bagnis, earning a spot at the 2015 French Open.

August 2015: USTA Junior National Championship

In August 2015, Frances Tiafoe capped his junior career by winning the USTA Junior National Championship, earning a wild card into the main draw at the 2015 US Open.

2016: Top 100 ATP Ranking

In 2016, Frances Tiafoe broke into the top 100 of the ATP rankings.

2016: ATP Tour Struggles and Challenger Success

In 2016, Frances Tiafoe had limited success at the ATP Tour level but consistently made deep runs at the Challenger level. He secured his first ATP match win against Taylor Fritz at the Indian Wells Masters.

2016: Sam Querrey at Wimbledon

In 2016, Sam Querrey defeated a top-three seed at Wimbledon.

2017: Sam Querrey at Wimbledon

In 2017, Sam Querrey defeated a top-three seed at Wimbledon.

2018: Delray Beach Open Win

In 2018, Frances Tiafoe won his first ATP title at the Delray Beach Open, becoming the youngest American man to win an ATP Tour tournament since Andy Roddick in 2002.

February 11, 2019: Career-High Ranking

On February 11, 2019, as a result of reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, Frances Tiafoe achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 29.

2019: 2019 Season Overview

In 2019, Frances Tiafoe reached the quarterfinals at the Miami Open and qualified for the Next Generation ATP Finals, finishing the season ranked No. 47 in the world.

2019: Australian Open Quarterfinals

In 2019, Frances Tiafoe reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

2019: Losing Quarterfinal Points

In 2019, Tiafoe had quarterfinal points that he risked losing in 2020.

2020: Australian Open Loss

In 2020, Frances Tiafoe dropped out of the top 50 after losing in the first round of the Australian Open to Daniil Medvedev, failing to defend his quarterfinal points from the 2019 Australian Open.

2020: Olympics Loss to Tsitsipas

In 2020, Frances Tiafoe lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round of the Olympics.

November 2021: Career-High Doubles Ranking

In November 2021, Frances Tiafoe achieved his career-high doubles ranking of No. 160.

2021: Wimbledon Win Against Tsitsipas

In 2021, Frances Tiafoe defeated world No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round of Wimbledon, marking his first win against a top-5 player. He also won the Nottingham Open.

2022: US Open Semifinals

In 2022, Frances Tiafoe reached the semifinals of the US Open, marking his first Grand Slam tournament semifinal appearance.

June 2023: Career High Ranking

In June 2023, Frances Tiafoe achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 10, becoming the first Sierra Leonean American man to reach the top 10 in the ATP rankings.