Absence of Federer, Nadal extra motivation at US Open, says Tiafoe

Tiafoe said players saw the absence of Federer and Nadal as an opportunity to go deep into the tournament.

Published : Sep 06, 2021 13:06 IST , NEW YORK

Tiafoe lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets on Sunday.
Tiafoe lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets on Sunday.
lightbox-info

Tiafoe lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets on Sunday.

The U.S. Open is on track for a record number of five-set matches in the men's draw and American Frances Tiafoe said Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had a lot to do with that -- even though they were not even playing at Flushing Meadows this year.

Tiafoe, who lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday, said players saw the absence of Federer and Nadal as an opportunity to go deep into the tournament.

"I definitely think guys are trying extra hard, because there is no Roger, Rafa," the 23-year-old American told reporters.

"I see guys foaming in the mouth, pretty funny to watch, I'm in the locker room cracking up.

"You have (Andreas) Seppi, like 37, playing 15-13 in the fifth (set tiebreaker). What's that about? Crazy.

"His 19th U.S. Open, he's putting his heart on the line. He's probably not doing that if he plays Rafa the second round, probably, like, 'I'm done'.

"It's unreal."

World number one Novak Djokovic is the sole representative of the 'Big Three' of men's tennis, with Federer and Nadal ruled out due to injury.

ALSO READ |

With 11 matches still to go in the men's draw, this year's tournament has already seen 33 matches reach a fifth set, the most at the hardcourt major since 2004 when 34 matches went to five.

This year's tournament is already tied with the 1980 and 1983 editions with seven fifth-set tiebreakers, the most since the U.S. Open started using tiebreaks in 1970.

As many as 10 players have come back to win after losing the first two sets, also tied for the most with the 1974 and 2012 tournaments.

"Coming in this U.S. Open we knew it was going to be intense. We knew there was going to be lots at stake," said Auger-Aliassime.

"On the one hand we have Novak trying to achieve history and we have guys that now have multiple Grand Slam finals ... all these guys that are really hungry, and myself, to be in the big stage and to win these type of tournaments."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment