Star Power Wins - Big Foe is Inevitable
Frances Tiafoe put on one of the most electrifying performances in recent memory in his run to the finals of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna last week.
At a time in the tennis calendar when many casual fans have tuned out, players are tired, and the end of the season looms - Frances described a “second wind” that he feels in this final stretch of the season (although he did just bow out Paris R1 to Giron).
In a 2021 season where Big Foe has struggled to match the desired results with the positive changes he’s made - his consistent effort and fight finally payed off. Having to qualify for a stacked ATP500 in Vienna, he went on to beat world #3 Tsitsipas, Schwartzman and fellow Next Gen star Jannik Sinner (from behind, in amazing fashion) to make the final to face Zverev.
Austrian Love, Italian Despair
In his come from behind defeat of Jannik Sinner, Frances was getting beaten badly from the baseline by the in form Italian, who hadn’t lost an indoor set in recent memory.
Frances new he had to change it up.
He started to come forward even more, showcasing his hand skills, “volleying like John McEnroe” as a journalist complimented in post-match press.
He also got the crowd involved by joking about how badly he was being outplayed, running into the crowd at one point, and lying on the court.
The packed Vienna crowd was enthralled. Young Jannik Sinner got distracted, and lost his edge.
After the match, Sinner expressed the feeling that Tiafoe "went a bit too far” with his antics. Italian fans far and wide labelled Tiafoe a clown.
But sport is entertainment, performance, and competition.
Big Foe got the house rocking and played better than Sinner in it. It’s all fair game, as the umpire never interfered once.
In the final, Tiafoe sternly challenged Sascha Zverev who serve 19 aces and 82% 1st serves in - preposterous numbers. Making the match a very close 7-5, 6-4 loss was a feat on it’s own.
Stars are born that way?
Frances Tiafoe is electric, win or lose.
His energy and talent are obvious to hardcore tennis fans and casual observers alike.
In the ultra competitive Top 50 of men’s tennis, Frances has struggled to find his consistency after breaking through at such a young age.
What he’s never struggled to do is entertain. It comes naturally. It’s charisma.
In Vienna he showed what his game can be. Unpredictable but with a purpose. Mixing it up and coming forward with confidence and skill.
As his serve continues to improve he can win game easier and put more pressure on the opponents serve.
At 23 years, old (Jordan year) Frances is putting the pieces in place to have a long, fruitful career at the top of mens tennis.
He took a step back to take 2 forward. I believe the second step - into the Top 25 - will happen in 2022.
Even in defeat, Big Foe still wins. (After Vienna final)
Stephen Boughton founded The Slice and reports on the most interesting stories in tennis.