Coco Gauff has given her thoughts on Frances Tiafoe, speaking honestly about her compatriot ahead of the Cincinnati Open.

It marks an important tournament for both of these Americans, with the former seeking to bounce back after a disappointing singles campaign in Montreal.

Tiafoe, meanwhile, has plenty of points to defend, having lost in the final of this event last year to Jannik Sinner.

This marked the start of a red-hot winning streak for the Italian, who then went on to win the US Open at a canter whilst his fellow Cincinnati finalist reached the semi-finals.

If Frances Tiafoe were to match those accomplishments this year, he would likely see that as a great success. However, it was not his technical quality that Coco Gauff sought to praise.

Coco Gauff gives her honest thoughts on Frances Tiafoe

Speaking to the Cincinnati Open press, she stumbled onto the topic of Tiafoe, and recalled the first time she ever met the 26-year-old.

Praising his infectious charm and charisma, Gauff admitted: “My first impression? I think what you get the first time is who he is truly. I don’t think you ever get a bad side of him, just walking around the grounds.

“I can’t even remember the first time I met him because I feel like he has just been around forever, but he has always been the same person, as his career has grown and obviously he made the semis and has gotten more fame.

“I still think he is the player on Tour with the most clout. Every celebrity knows him, or he knows every celebrity, and he’s mentioned in two rap songs. So he’s pretty iconic!

“But I think that energy is genuine, and he makes you love the sport even more, just knowing his backstory and his history.

“But the fact he comes on Tour and every single day he gives you that personal attention and genuine niceness and energy, I appreciate that from him a lot.”

At times, these emotions can get the better of him, exhibited perfectly as Tiafoe argued with one chair umpire in Montreal before his eventual exit.

Frances Tiafoe needs to prove that last year at the Cincinnati Open was not a fluke

Last year saw Tiafoe reach the final of the Cincinnati Open, in a remarkable run that saw him defeated by Jannik Sinner for the title.

It marked an important return to form for the American, who carried that winning feeling into New York, where he reached the semi-finals.

However, this year will be important not just to defend his ranking points in Cincinnati, but to prove that his run was not a one-off fluke.

Frances Tiafoe hits a backhandPhoto by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

After all, his historical performances before 2024 did not make for great viewing, only getting past the second round once.

If he can back last year’s success up with another strong showing, it should not only consolidate his position in the rankings, but also offer another boost to his confidence ahead of the last Grand Slam of the year.