Hong Kong Open: US tennis star Tiafoe focused on ‘having fun’, confident big 2024 lies ahead
- Frances Tiafoe starts his season in Hong Kong for first time and says he’ll be back after ‘unbelievable’ week
- The American changed coaches in the off-season and vows to be more aggressive in his approach on court
Frances Tiafoe said he would almost certainly return to the Hong Kong Tennis Open next year, after relishing his part in the ATP Tour’s return to the city this week.
The American, who became the latest victim of emerging Chinese star Shang Juncheng in Friday’s quarter-finals, has resolved to “have fun and compete at the highest level” in 2024.
He finished last season in a trough, losing a US Open quarter-final to compatriot Ben Shelton in September, and winning only three more matches in the calendar year.
Tiafoe ended his relationship with coach Wayne Ferreira in the off-season, and has teamed up with Argentine Diego Moyano for the new campaign.
Around the changes, he “partied hard and had a good rest”.
“I plateaued, big time, at the end of last year, and a lot of people are interested to see how I go this year,” Tiafoe told the Post. “I am trying to not get so wound up by the end result. Whether or not you do monumental things, the world will stay the same.
“I have more to do, and more to achieve. I was very results-driven last year. When I did not get the results I wanted, I folded it in, I struggled, big time.
“I want to enjoy it and have fun, and still compete at a high level.”