Frances Tiafoe has been a member of the ATP Tour for the last decade.
The 27-year-old has experience competing at all levels of the game and he has established himself as a player consistently in or just outside the top 20.
The American has seen plenty of pulsating matches during his time on tour and he has been involved in some epic battles of his own.
But for Frances Tiafoe, there is one contest that was played at Masters 1000 level, that stands above the rest.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesFrances Tiafoe’s favourite Masters 1000 match is Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic at the 2009 Madrid Open
Tiafoe is currently playing at the Canadian Open, which marks the resumption of the Masters 1000 tournaments.
The world number 11 has since conducted an interview with the ATP Tour website with questions all centered around Masters 1000 events.
Tiafoe was asked to name his favourite Masters 1000 match of all time, and he selected a gladiatorial affair between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic from the 2009 Madrid Open.
“Rafa was down match points, he hit a crazy forehand inside-in to save match point. It was an absolute war. That’s one that stands out,” Tiafoe said.
Nadal lost the first set, before taking a second set tiebreak to send the match into a decider. The third set also went to a tiebreak, and Djokovic found himself within one point of victory on three occasions.
But Nadal stepped up and hit some blistering forehand winners to keep the match alive before clinching the tiebreak to win 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in four hours and three minutes of compelling action between two warriors.
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty ImagesFrances Tiafoe names the Madrid Open as his favourite Masters 1000 city
Madrid hosted Tiafoe’s favourite Masters 1000 match, and it is also his favourite city in which to play Masters 1000 tennis tournaments.
His record in the Spanish capital leaves much to be desired, as Tiafoe has won just five of his 11 career matches at the Caja Magica, with his best result coming this season when he reached the fourth round.
Despite his indifferent results in Madrid, Tiafoe very much enjoys what the city as a whole has to offer.
“Madrid is fire, I love Madrid. I’m cool with some guys at Real Madrid, I like to hang out with those guys, that’s cool. The food is great there, the people are so nice,” Tiafoe explained.
“Partying is fire, nightlife is great. The city itself is cool. I like places where you can walk around: There’s a lot of good dining, there’s a good energy around. Going to Real Madrid matches is nice.”