"My body kinda just shut down on me": Frances Tiafoe in cloud of despair as cramps and nerves crush US Open dream
ATP
As the US Open concludes for Frances Tiafoe, it was more a regret of what might've been for the American ace as he went through cramping and nerves in losing to Taylor Fritz.
Feeling that he could've won it, he succumbed to a 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss and was utterly crestfallen as can be expected.
"It's tough," he said. "It's really really tough. Really really tough. This one's gonna hurt really bad. I mean I thought I was the better player for sure tonight. But in the fourth [set], I had some in and out cramps. I felt like my body kinda just shut down on me. Probably had a lot to do with nerves."
"Kind of just went down, just kind of like a similar thing with [Carlos] Alcaraz and Novak [Djokovic] that year the French [Open 2023]. It kinda seems like the same thing. Couldn't really move."
He also compared it to his 2022 loss to Carlos Alcaraz. But for him, it was more that back then, he knew he didn't have a chance while this year he did that made it hurt even more.
"The closest I was obviously when I played Alcaraz, I was kind of hanging for dear life to go five [sets]. Here, I was really in a position to win it," Tiafoe said.
"I have been feeling unbelievable physically, but also it would be testament to how many matches I have played in a short time and I haven't played that many matches all year like that. But ultimately, nerves got the better of me tonight."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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