Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe competed in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event.
The American duo were given a tricky draw in the US Open mixed doubles, as they took on Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in round one.
Failing to make an impression against the number-three seeds, Keys and Tiafoe lost in straight sets, 1-4, 2-4.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Both Keys and Tiafoe will now turn their attention to the singles, where they could be in with a real shout of winning the tournament.
Reflecting on their brief stint in the mixed doubles, Keys has now shared what her relationship with Tiafoe is really like.
Madison Keys says Frances Tiafoe is ‘one of the happiest people’ she’s ever been around
During her pre-tournament press conference, Keys commented on her relationship with Tiafoe.
“Love Foe [Frances Tiaofe],” she said.
“We have known each other for many, many years. I mean, I always love watching him play tennis. It’s always super fun. We play obviously very differently.
“But he’s one of the best guys. He always has amazing energy. He’s one of the happiest people you’ll ever be around.”
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Keys explained how she and Tiafoe grew close when living in the same apartment complex a few years ago.
“We lived in the same apartment complex for a few years, and I basically had to drive him around everywhere, had to leave him a few times because he was late,” she said.
“Got a lot of FaceTimes on ‘How do I start the washer’ and stuff.
“So we’re quite close (smiling).”
The pair have enjoyed success at Flushing Meadows over the years, but who has come closest to lifting the trophy?
Comparing Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe’s US Open records
Both players have reached the US Open semifinals on several occasions, but only one has made it to the final.
PlayerBest performanceLatest performanceWin/Loss recordWin %Madison KeysF – 20173R – 202433-1372%Frances TiafoeSF – 2022, 2024SF – 202422-1069%Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe at the US Open
In 2017, Keys made a remarkable run through to the final of the US Open, where she fell short against her fellow American Sloane Stephens.
Losing out on that occasion, Keys was made to wait eight years before she lifted her first Grand Slam title, doing so in Melbourne this January.
Tiafoe, on the other hand, remains Slam-less, despite two semifinal appearances at the US Open.
In both 2022 and 2024, Tiafoe fell in a deciding fifth set, missing out on a place in the championship match by the finest of margins.
2022 US Open SF – Frances Tiafoe lost to Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6, 3-6, 1-6, 7-6, 3-62024 US Open SF – Frances Tiafoe lost to Taylor Fritz, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6
His defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 semis would have been particularly heartbreaking, with Casper Ruud awaiting him in the final.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
With all due respect to the Norwegian, Tiafoe may have been favored to win that match, especially with the backing of the crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Twice a losing semifinalist, Tiafoe will want to finally get over the line and reach the final in 2025.
To do so, he’ll likely have to beat some of the best players on the ATP Tour at Flushing Meadows.
Frances Tiafoe’s route to the US Open final (By ranking)1R v Yoshihito Nishioka2R v Darwin Blanch3R v [11] Holger Rune4R v [7] Novak DjokovicQF v [4] Taylor FritzSF v [2] Carlos AlcarazF v [1] Jannik Sinner
Whilst he is expected to make it through his first two matches without much trouble, it’s in round three where things start to get tricky for Tiafoe.
The world number 17 could potentially have to beat Holger Rune, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner in consecutive matches to win the title.
If he can do that, he’d instantly cement his place among the greats of American tennis.
First up is Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, who Tiafoe will play on Monday, August 25.