“The overall level of play has never been higher”: Frances Tiafoe comments on growing competition on the ATP Tour

Frances Tiafoe stated that the current level of the ATP Tour has "never been higher" and commented that he feels frustrated every week by the level of the opponents he faces. The World No. 17 secured an important win in his Miami Open debut, defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-5, 7-6.

Big-Foe referred to the constant surprises occurring on the Tour. Players like Joao Fonseca, Learner Tien, Jakub Mensik, Hamad Medjedovic, and Coleman Wang have been part of the emerging young stars who have pulled off surprises against some of the world’s best players.

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Although many have been shocked by these upsets, Tiafoe believes they are not huge surprises due to how much the level of the Tour has risen in recent years. “The surprises don’t even worry me anymore. I’m frustrated every week.”

“I always say it: I’ve been on the Tour for a while, and the overall level of play has never been higher," the former world No. 10 added. "There are veterans who are holding their ground, young players coming up to the top level trying to make their mark, and the best players hanging on like never before. The circuit is insane. All the guys here are playing at an incredible level,” said the World No. 17 to the ATP microphone.

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Tiafoe is in the Round of 32 and will face another young star, though one who has been among the best for some time now. The 20-year-old Arthur Fils, 17th seed, who reached the quarterfinals at Indian Wells a couple of weeks ago. Tiafoe is looking to break into the third round of a Masters 1000 for the first time since the 2024 Cincinnati Open, where he reached the final but lost to Jannik Sinner.

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