New York – Frances Tiafoe, the 11th seed, finished his U.S. Open campaign with a hard‑fought semi‑final loss to fellow American Ben Shelton, but he left Flushing Meadows confident that his 2026 season marks a major comeback.
Season‑high ranking on the horizon
The 28‑year‑old will rise to a new career‑high world No. 8 once the post‑tournament rankings are released, returning to the top‑10 for the first time since 2023. Tiafoe’s performance in New York, his third U.S. Open semi‑final appearance, underscored a year in which he consistently challenged the sport’s elite.
Looking ahead to the next challenge
“It’s been a great season for me, but also, you know, this one is tough,” Tiafoe told reporters after the match, which ended 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5 in Shelton’s favor. He added that closing out matches will be his next focus, noting, “We wanted to win this one… we haven’t been able to finish, and that’s probably going to be the next thing for me.”
Reflecting on his progress, Tiafoe recalled a difficult interview last year when he felt “really bad” about his game. “I’m upset, but I’m at the same time so proud of myself of where I’ve been,” he said, emphasizing the growth he has achieved.
Grand Slam dreams remain alive
Despite the setback, Tiafoe’s ultimate goal remains unchanged. “I want to be a Grand Slam champion one day and just get back to the drawing board and keep working,” he affirmed.
The support of New York fans added an emotional layer to his run. “The love is incredible. It’s something that gives me definitely tears in my eyes… the love I have here is crazy,” he said, highlighting how the hometown crowd inspired him.
Final stretch of the season
With the U.S. Open concluded, Tiafoe will turn his attention to the ATP Finals in Turin, the season‑ending event for the highest‑ranked players. “I’m probably going to feel sorry for myself the next couple of days, but after that I can start working again and get to Turin,” he said.
His performance this year, highlighted by a deep run at the sport’s premier American tournament, positions him as a contender for the year‑end championship and signals a promising trajectory for the remainder of the season.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
