Frances Tiafoe is back at the Cincinnati Open, a tournament he enjoyed playing at in 2024.
The 27-year-old reached the final in Ohio a year ago where he faced Jannik Sinner, who claimed a 7-6, 6-2 win to lift the title.
The American is hoping to make an impression at the Masters 1000 tournament once again, with the US Open on the horizon.
The WTA Tour are also playing at the Cincinnati Open, and Tiafoe had some words to say about one of his fellow Americans.
Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty ImagesFrances Tiafoe loves practicing with Jessica Pegula but says she ‘doesn’t talk’ to him as much anymore
Frances Tiafoe enjoys spending time with other players both on the ATP and WTA Tour.
This is particularly true with his fellow Americans, as Ben Shelton described Tiafoe as one of his best friends before their match at the Citi Open.
Tiafoe is also known to have a close relationship with world number 51 Hailey Baptiste, but there is one WTA player who he enjoyed practicing with more than most.
That is 2024 US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula, but Tiafoe told The Guardian that he thinks the 31-year-old does not want to spend as much time with him on court anymore, and joked that she has outgrown him.
“She [Jessica Pegula] hits the ball so pure and right in pocket every time,” he says. “She’s pretty relaxed as well. But she doesn’t want to hit with me anymore,” Tiafoe said.
“She’s made some finals now in some slams, 1000s, and she doesn’t want to talk to me as much any more. She got too big time for me. She forgot about the little people.”
Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty ImagesJessica Pegula says Frances Tiafoe helped to relax her when she practiced with him in 2023
Pegula and Tiafoe began practicing with one another at the inaugural United Cup in 2023, where they helped USA win the title.
At the 2023 Australian Open, Pegula explained why hitting with Tiafoe was beneficial for both players in different ways.
“My nerves usually come out in practice where I’m not hitting well and I’m freaking out, and Frances is just so happy-go-lucky. The biggest hype person ever,” Pegula said via the WTA website.
“I think it’s good I hit with him yesterday because it kind of relaxed me a little bit. I’m a little bit more focused, which he needs, so I think it helps him in that way. And I think he likes hitting with me, he says, for his rhythm.
“He says he feels like the best player in the world when he hits with me. We give each other a little confidence, I guess.”