Frances Tiafoe Intends to Save Tennis

[Kralingen]

If you watch his hand positioning it’s left hand dominant. His right hand is almost off of the handle so he gets no leverage from that hand. That is how Nadal hits his backhand, very weak hand dominant.

it’s a good flat shot and gets good depth. It’s his forehand that is a little awkward and can break down at time.

Well every 2HBH is going to be left hand dominant by definition, perhaps I didn’t explain it well. More than his hand positioning I find his shot doesn’t have much spin (like Norrie) and he is a little stiff moving to that side. Especially when pushed wide he doesn’t have the looseness to generate spin and heaviness and especially is not good at an open stance BH. This is a big issue when playing Nadal.

also I am not “manufacturing a narrative” here I watch Tiafoe a lot as he’s one of my favorite players. Baez’s inside out FH killed him in Estoril for example and while Tiafoe does have good reflexes to take the ball early at times, Rafa’s FH is the most difficult shot of all time to deal with if you struggle with movement to your BH wing. I hope Foe puts on an entertaining performance but he is inherently at a disadvantage in the matchup.

 

[ffw2]

Frances is not an upstart. He’s 24 and been around for six years. He’s now entering his peak years.

Your choice, of course, but applying an alternative definition of 'upstart' can prove handy.

Wishing both you and Frances the best.

 

[ForehandDTL]

Well every 2HBH is going to be left hand dominant by definition, perhaps I didn’t explain it well. More than his hand positioning I find his shot doesn’t have much spin (like Norrie) and he is a little stiff moving to that side. Especially when pushed wide he doesn’t have the looseness to generate spin and heaviness and especially is not good at an open stance BH. This is a big issue when playing Nadal.

also I am not “manufacturing a narrative” here I watch Tiafoe a lot as he’s one of my favorite players. Baez’s inside out FH killed him in Estoril for example and while Tiafoe does have good reflexes to take the ball early at times, Rafa’s FH is the most difficult shot of all time to deal with if you struggle with movement to your BH wing. I hope Foe puts on an entertaining performance but he is inherently at a disadvantage in the matchup.

fair enough. Good news for Rafa then.

Vamos!

 

[Shangri La]

“Good intentions don’t work. Mechanisms do.” — Jeff Bezos

 

[topspin_forehand]

I bet he takes one set off Rafa.

 

[big ted]

i like tiafoes gusto but i think rafa being a better player trumps that

 

[weakera]

Tiafoe will have the full support of Belgrade at his back

 

[Nadal_King]

Tiafoe lacks that will to win although he is great competitor but that winning instinct is missing from his game

 

[ffw2]

I bet he takes one set off Rafa.

Even that would be somewhat telling.

We've heard so much about non-stop injury troubles over the years, for starters.

Something doesn't add up.

 

[Born_to_slice]

Francis Toewalker - The New Hope

 

[ffw2]

Francis Toewalker - The New Hope

lol re-watched that recently

Han Solo is literally 80 or something now. And back as Indy?!

 

[Born_to_slice]

lol re-watched that recently

Han Solo is literally 80 or something now. And back as Indy?!

Again? No wonder tho. It's dead, void of ideas hollywood after all.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Mmmmm, crow I see him ingesting...

 

[MichaelNadal]

“I believe I can beat him - I’m definitely going to come after him," declared the upstart and roundball enthusiast.

"I'm willing to give him a chance."

Spoiler

Mr. Tiafoe believes that Nadal is no LeBron James.

Spoiler

Hand to heart.

‘I believe I can beat him’ – Tiafoe full of confidence ahead of Nadal encounter

Rafael Nadal’s fourth round opponent in the US Open, Frances Tiafoe, has sent a warning to the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

www.eurosport.com

Get your life bestie

 

[Tronco20]

In some other thread I predicted Tiafoe to win the whole thing (before the USO started - i think the draw wasn't even out, even if yes, I didn't look at it) If he beats Nadal, I'll actually start believing what I'd said.

 

[The Green Mile]

He's like De Minaur, gets an extra 15-20% (numbers I pulled out of my ass) playing in front of a home crowd, and it's especially noticeable with Tiafoe. He draws on the crowds energy moreso than most players on tour. It should be a really a fun match if he shows up.

It'll be interesting to see just how much Tiafoe's excellent variety will help or hinder him against Rafa, the use of slice and short slice (uses it more than anybody), forecourt game, etc. You'd think Rafa will be all over it.

 

[Aabye5]

Anything Taylor can do, I can do, too?

 

[kevaninho]

Comments like this is what gets Rafa fired up.

This probably wont end well.

 

[Subway Tennis]

In some other thread I predicted Tiafoe to win the whole thing (before the USO started - i think the draw wasn't even out, even if yes, I didn't look at it) If he beats Nadal, I'll actually start believing what I'd said.

This is a massive prediction if it pans out. I thought Fritz was going to go the furthest of the American men, but we know how that turned out

What made you predict Tiafoe?

 

[Docholliday]

“I believe I can beat him - I’m definitely going to come after him," declared the upstart and roundball enthusiast.

"I'm willing to give him a chance."

Spoiler

Mr. Tiafoe believes that Nadal is no LeBron James.

Spoiler

Hand to heart.

‘I believe I can beat him’ – Tiafoe full of confidence ahead of Nadal encounter

Rafael Nadal’s fourth round opponent in the US Open, Frances Tiafoe, has sent a warning to the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

www.eurosport.com

How can he save tennis when Nadal already has the most majors? Is that not like shutting the barn door after the horse bolted?

 

[Docholliday]

Comments like this is what gets Rafa fired up.

This probably wont end well.

Rafa is going to have a very hostile crowd. Its labour day and the BLM will be out in force. Im not sure Rafa will be prepared for it as usually NY loves him.
Tiafoe and Goff winning this US Open given Bidens recent tirades will not surprise me one bit.

 

[bluetrain4]

Frances is one of those guys who walks around, much like Coco Vandeweghe used to, like he has won multiple Grand Slams. This guy has ONE career title !! Nadal has more Grand Slam titles in 2022 than Frances has career titles.

I don't see this. How does he "walk around" this way?

 

[kevaninho]

Rafa is going to have a very hostile crowd. Its labour day and the BLM will be out in force. Im not sure Rafa will be prepared for it as usually NY loves him.
Tiafoe and Goff winning this US Open given Bidens recent tirades will not surprise me one bit.

I dont care if theyre US citizens. The support for Nadal and Federer, wherever they play, means it wont be as 'hostile' as you think.

 

[Tronco20]

This is a massive prediction if it pans out. I thought Fritz was going to go the furthest of the American men, but we know how that turned out

What made you predict Tiafoe?

He seems like a complete player to me, a better version of Kyrgios, more athletic, more explosive.. I've been following his game for the last couple of months and I think it's just a matter of time till he wins something big

 

[Underdog]

Couldn’t catch this first set play. Is he really pulling it off?

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Couldn’t catch this first set play. Is he really pulling it off?

Yes

 

[I Am Finnish]

“I believe I can beat him - I’m definitely going to come after him," declared the upstart and roundball enthusiast.

"I'm willing to give him a chance."

Spoiler

Mr. Tiafoe believes that Nadal is no LeBron James.

Spoiler

Hand to heart.

‘I believe I can beat him’ – Tiafoe full of confidence ahead of Nadal encounter

Rafael Nadal’s fourth round opponent in the US Open, Frances Tiafoe, has sent a warning to the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

www.eurosport.com

Well

 

[Fabresque]

Thank you, Frances.

 

[Subway Tennis]

@Tronco20 predicted this result prior to the tournament even starting.

Giving credit where it is due on this. Very big prediction that turned out to be correct.

I wanted Nadal to win but bloody hell, Tiafoe was GOATing in that match. Particularly the later parts of the fourth set. He was going for so much on the return and his net attacks were very effective.

 

[RF-18]

Yes @ffw2

Good thread

 

[initialize]

Yes yes yes!!!! Nice prediction OP haha!!

 

[Waves]

Thank goodness all the chronics are gone!

This USO is now exciting me. I want Sinner and Nick in the final! Go Simmer!!!

 

[mahatma]

Go Sinner!!!!

 

[jindra]

Feel like getting some quotes together on this thread

 

[The Fedfather]

Frances walked the walk on this one. Not something you see often from the current younger players. Kudos, and rooting for his great form to be consistent for the tournament. How big of a story will it be if he wins this USO?

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Unfortunately he can't win the USO with that 2nd serve, he probably won't make it past the next round

 

[paolo2143]

Frances is almost to Novak fans this year as Dani was to Rafa fans after last year's final lol

 

[ffw2]

Feel like getting some quotes together on this thread

lol absolutely

Some classic, classic content in here

 

[guanzishou]

Nadal is an unstoppable force, nobody can stop him except that man who is afraid of a needle.

Tiafoe will be consumed by Nadal in 4 sets, if he doesn't take a set in the first 2 then he loses in straights.

 

[guanzishou]

If these next-journeygen players want to save tennis they should all just go away and let the actual talent play until they are in their 50s. This statement by him is massive cringe as nothing about his career justifies that talk and even what he said reeks of thoughts and prayers style logic talking about 36 year old Nadal like he's some unstoppable machine. He's not, the tour is just devoid of any decent players and that's why he and Novak are still dominating.

I'm predicting a straight sets loss for him, might stretch to a TB in one of the sets at most. Unless Nadal is "injured" ofcourse.

The "unless" part makes me

 

[guanzishou]

what is he supposed to say? "yeah I will definitely lose but I'll try anyway"

Just gonna try my best, that's the Sport, you win, you lose.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Well...

Ya, will lose in straights.

Nadal's been injured for a while tho.

So this is likely to hinder him, unfortunately.

Nadal wins either way.

Tiafoe can be the better player on the day?
He lacks the skills, lacks the stamina and lacks the IQ.

"...and lacks the IQ" Think about that one for a moment.

He’s deluded! No chance sir!

As if Tiafoe has the game to even extend it to 5 sets. He has no variety, no plan B and no mental capacity to beat Rafa in BO5.

"...no mental capacity"

It all comes out, and in force, and yet this player with "no mental capacity" and "lacks the IQ" defeated the men's majors count leader--one of the "Best of the Rest" players of all time--in convincing fashion.

Amusing how certain perceptions never, ever hold weight and tend to blow up in the faces of those who spit that out.

 

[guanzishou]

Be a bit more humble, don't be overconfident and promote yourself without promoting your opponent. His comments like "I need to match his intensity" and "I'm going to come after him" he talks like Nadal already has the advantage and then still suggests he can beat him when nothing in his career or previous matches with Nadal suggests that.

I get that you've gotta say something and news articles always take everything that is quotable but for me he should be saying stuff like "I'm in great shape, I'm feeling good and getting a good feel for the court, I'm ready for the match against Nadal" Y'know? Something that doesn't make you sound like you know your opponent is better yet still sound arrogant enough to think you can win.

All players must believe that they can win and should not have the 50/50 feeling. They must have confidence.

 

[guanzishou]

Didn't Tiafoe take Federer to the 5th set at the 2017 USO and still LOST?

I remember Federer saw some potential on Tiafoe after that match and he said to Tiafoe, "keep doing what you're doing".....

 

[guanzishou]

Guy says his cat is named Rafa: TTW crucifies him.
Guy says he's going to take it to Rafa: TTW crucifies him.

The negativity of you bitter old men is so over the top

A lot of us are going through mid life crisis, so please give us some slack.

 

[Born_to_slice]

Kudos to Tiafoe for coming through for tennis. Hope he can make it all the way.

Gotta say I haven't watched a second of this USO before these highlights. This fast and low bouncing court really isn't court suitable to Nadal's game.

 

[Rattie]

Well...








"...and lacks the IQ" Think about that one for a moment.








"...no mental capacity"

It all comes out, and in force, and yet this player with "no mental capacity" and "lacks the IQ" defeated the men's majors count leader--one of the "Best of the Rest" players of all time--in convincing fashion.

Amusing how certain perceptions never, ever hold weight and tend to blow up in the faces of those who spit that out.

Because those comments took no account whatsoever of Rafa’s issues with his form in the previous three rounds.

 

[ojo rojo]

Lulz!!

 

[guanzishou]

I believe I can fly.

I believe I can crush the fly

 

[guanzishou]

Tiafoe will have the full support of Belgrade at his back

and USA.