By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, July 31, 2023

Rock Creek Park represents Frances Tiafoe's tennis roots—and a reminder of the place he honed his stealth expertise.

As a child rising up in Maryland, Tiafoe remembers hopping the fence to sneak into the Mubadala Citi DC Open and watch as a fan.

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The child who as soon as tip-toed into the event Mubadala Citi DC Open has grown into the world's tenth ranked man aiming to take the final word step: Win the Washington, DC title.

The residence grown participant believes he can bloom in Rock Creek Park.

"I mean, this is the reason, this tournament is one of the reasons why I play pro tennis," Tiafoe instructed the media on the Mubadala Citi DC Open. "Being this close to fans. You see a lot of fans here so up close and personal with the players. You know, it's a 500, we like great players.

"To have my identify across the stadium, I imply, I used to sneak into this factor as a child. Now, you understand, I simply actually need to win this occasion. Outside of profitable slams and perhaps Masters Series, that is undoubtedly up there. It could be a really emotional day, I believe it could be an amazing day for the town of D.C. and Mark Ein, I believe he'd adore it too."

Tiafoe, who's seeded second within the singles draw, opened play at the moment partnering Hubert Hurkacz in a 2-6, 7-6(9), 10-7 doubles win over buddies Christopher Eubanks and Sebastian Korda.

Growing up in Maryland, Tiafoe typically slept on the ground of the tennis membership the place his father was head of upkeep.

These days, Tiafoe is taking huge strides towards monitoring his main dream and credit his maturity and self-discipline for his rise to the Top 10.

"I'm a guy came from very humble beginnings," stated Tiafoe, whose dad and mom emigrated to the United States from Sierra Leone. "I came on the scene, I was 18 years old, 19 years old, in top 100. Guys thinking I'm gonna be the guy to do it, X, Y, and Z, American hope, blah, blah, blah.

"It was powerful. I do not suppose I used to be actually prepared for it. You know, I used to be, you understand, a younger man having cash, I used to be having fun with my life, you understand, outdoors actions and stuff like that. Now I simply honed it in."

Tennis is a sport for a lifetime and in Tiafoe's case it is a life-changing sport.

Tiafoe is giving again becoming a member of forces with the USTA Foundation to create the Frances Tiafoe Fund in an effort to assist under-resourced youngsters with tennis and academic help. 

The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the USTA,  and Tiafoe launched The Frances Tiafoe Fund final Thursday on the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Md., the place the place the American tennis star first fell in love with the game, adopted by a clinic during which Tiafoe had the chance to work together with native youth.

Tiafoe, who broke into the ATP Top 10 for the primary time in his profession on June 19 after profitable his second title of 2023 at in Stuttgart, stated hopes the Fund will likely be a supply of optimistic social change by supporting the mission of the USTA Foundation with a particular emphasis on the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) community.

The community, which options greater than 270 chapters nationwide, was initially created in 1969 by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, together with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, and gives under-resourced youth with free or low-cost tennis and training programming, serving to them to succeed each on and off the court docket.

Returning to his roots, Tiafoe is worked up to see Washington, DC tennis rising as effectively.

"I think tennis is great [in Washington, DC]. Obviously Clervie [Ngounoue] just won [girls'] Wimbledon. She's from here," Tiafoe stated. "I don't think many people know that. What a hell of a player she is and will become.

"You know, I imply, I believe Hailey Baptiste might be excellent. I believe Robin Montgomery might be actually good. I believe there's going to be numerous nice gamers from the world, very proficient gamers.

"Obviously with myself, it brings tennis to D.C. which is great, and I think the more people want to play and want to get into the game, so we'll see."

Photo credit score: Getty 

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