"Got a couple middies early. Ask Richard Jefferson" - Frances Tiafoe reminisces 'dunking' on previous basketball star, reveals tension against rivals on court

Frances Tiafoe is the latest tennis player to feature on the Tiebreak Talks series, hosted by Lucas Brady. The pair discussed a multitude of topics ahead of the beginning of the US Open, starting imminently. Tiafoe has had previous success at the event, reaching two semi-finals and a quarter-final in his last three appearances at Flushing Meadows.

The duo talked about sportsmanship in tennis, dream car features, and his ideal draft of top sports personalities to train into a tennis star.

Tennis can be a ruthless sport. It may be all smiles and good vibes on the surface, but deep down is an underlying motivation to be the best and to get the better of your opponent. That can start with simple methods before the tie commences. Despite this, there is still the unwritten rule for good sportsmanship in a sport of such caliber and attention

"A lot of underlying tension that people don’t know about," Tiafoe said. "We try to keep the right etiquette and all that, but yeah — I mean, it’s a kill-or-be-killed mentality out here. There’s a lot more going on... games and stuff that people don’t see."

"Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. Even at the coin toss, you stare right in a guy’s eyes — you kind of know if they believe they can beat you." He went on to describe his handshake before ties. "Very cold, very cold. But I’d still rather look you right in the eye and be like, 'Yo, what was that about?' rather than doing all that fake stuff."

It is not just the players they need to keep good etiquette with, but the umpires too. Tiafoe has had previous encounters with umpires, including a clash at the most recent Canadian Open. When questioned whether it was awkward to get a chair umpire he has had previous drama with, Tiafoe said: "Those are always tough. They try to do a good job with that, but I’ve had my time with chair umpires."

Away from tennis, Tiafoe has had some experience playing basketball. He was invited to a charity game featuring the likes of Richard Jefferson and former American football wide receiver Calvin Johnson, where he impressed the two former professionals.

When asked when he started playing, he said: "That came around later, when I was like 14, 15. Never played organized games, but I was in the YMCA all the time."

He bigged up his performance in his charity match, as he said: "Hey, I was 2 for 3. Got a couple middies early. Ask Richard Jefferson." Brady asked: "Who’d you score on?" Tiafoe replied: "Richard Jefferson. Yeah, Richard Jefferson and Calvin Johnson. That was big." "I thought you dunked on Bad Bunny or something." Brady said.

Changing the subject, Brady asked the American number three what dream car features he would add, no matter how unrealistic. Tiafoe was prepared for the answer, as he said: "Definitely a pool. A hot tub, preferably. I love sitting in the hot tub, keeping the feet up. And we already have the 55-inch screen — so it’s great. I don’t need anything else."

Finally, they moved on to a little game - drafting three athletes they believe could turn into Grand Slam champions. Tiafoe began: "I’ll go with Ron - LeBron, next pick — Ronaldo." Brady started his by saying: "I’m going Lisa Leslie… and let’s go Prime John Wall. Aggressive, fast, maybe a little Alcaraz-style but bigger.

"Last pick — Kyrie Irving." Lucas asked: "What kind of game would he have? Tiafoe replied: "Man, the guy’s got basketball game. He can probably do anything. A little trickster, very Dexter-type game." Brady finished his selection by saying: "I’m going with Joe Burrow for my last pick. Trying to make the American Roger Federer. Style and elegance."

The American kicks off his US Open campaign tomorrow against Yoshihito Nishioka on Arthur Ashe Stadium.