
via Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 5, 2024 Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz hugs Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. after winning their third round match REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

via Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 5, 2024 Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz hugs Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. after winning their third round match REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
“Favourite player to share the court with because of how creative he is and the style he plays,” Ben Shelton mentioned showcasing his sheer admiration for Carlos Alcaraz. The renowned ATP stars clashed against each other in an amazing event at the Madison Square Garden in New York. During the event, fans saw a developing friendship between Shelton and Alcaraz as they captivated the American audience. However, Shelton is not the only American star Alcaraz gets along with. Now his blooming friendship with Frances Tiafoe has come to light.
Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe delighted fans with their playful banter during the Charlotte Invitational press conference. The exhibition event, which also featured Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys, brought these stars together for some exciting off-season action. Both Alcaraz and Tiafoe had fairly successful seasons. While Alcaraz clinched Grand Slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, Tiafoe showcased his rising potential by making a deep run to the US Open semifinals.
When asked about their relationship during the press conference, Alcaraz responded with humor. “We hate each other,” the Spaniard said with a grin. Being never one to miss an opportunity for a quick retort, Tiafoe also chimed in, “I couldn’t agree more,” as he added to the lighthearted moment.
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“We hate each other.” 🤣
21-year-old, four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz takes on world No. 18 Frances Tiafoe tonight in Uptown.
It’s an exhibition, but it should be spirited. Over 15,000 expected to attend.#CharlotteInvitational I @wcnc I 🎾 pic.twitter.com/B4C53rkis5
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) December 6, 2024
Poll of the day
Poll 1 of 5
Do you think the friendly rivalries and camaraderie between players like Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, and Ben Shelton are good for tennis?
Yes, it adds excitement
No, it takes away from the competition
It's just for show
Not sure
Do you believe Coco Gauff can bounce back and win her first title of the year during the clay season?
Absolutely, she's a fighter
No, she's too inconsistent
Maybe, if she improves her game
Not sure, it's unpredictable
Whats your Perspective on:
Is the Alcaraz-Tiafoe banter the most entertaining rivalry in tennis right now?
Have an interesting take?
Do you think Frances Tiafoe's switch to Lululemon will impact his on-court performance?
Yes, new gear can boost confidence
No, it's all about skill
It's just a marketing move
Not sure
Is Jakub Mensik the next big thing in tennis after his stunning Miami Open victory over Novak Djokovic?
Absolutely, he's a future star
Too early to tell
No, it was a fluke
Djokovic will bounce back stronger
Do you think Elena Rybakina's decision to reunite with her former coach Stefano Vukov will help her reclaim her past glory?
Yes, they have a strong connection
No, his methods are too aggressive
It's too soon to tell
She needs a fresh start
Want to dive deeper?
Here are the articles that inspired recent polls.
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Alcaraz then explained the mutual respect they have built over time. “I think we have a really good relationship of the core. You know when we play on the court, we have huge request to each other. And I think that’s great for tennis and for the competition,” he said.
Tiafoe agreed and therefore took the cheeky banter forward with a touch of humor again. “Yeah, no, I agree. I mean, I think we’ve had some great battles. Obviously, we get along really well. He copies all the restaurants I go to. I run into him in a restaurant once in a tournament for sure. So that’s obviously pretty funny. But yeah, I mean, it’s been great, and he’s a hell of a player and will continue for a long time.”
Tiafoe is set to begin his 2025 season at the Brisbane International in Australia on December 30. Alcaraz has not revealed anything about the next tournament he will feature in, but has already set his sights on winning the Australian Open.
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What’s your perspective on:
Is the Alcaraz-Tiafoe banter the most entertaining rivalry in tennis right now?
Have an interesting take?
Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton enjoy NBA action at Madison Square Garden
Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton were together on Tuesday night in New York, not on the tennis courts but courtside at an NBA game. The ATP stars attended the New York Knicks’ clash against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden with WTA stars Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro. The star-studded appearance added excitement to the evening as fans spotted some of the world’s finest tennis players enjoying the basketball showdown.
Alcaraz has had a stellar year as he finished as World No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings. His rivalry with Shelton has been a fascinating one, with the Spaniard leading their Head-to-Head by 2-0. Their most recent clash was at the Laver Cup in Berlin, where Alcaraz secured a straight-sets victory.
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Shelton spoke highly of Alcaraz ahead of their exhibition match at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. “He’s my favourite player to share the court with because of how creative he is and the style he plays,” Shelton said. The 22-year-old added, “Every time we play, you hear the crowd go crazy on both sides. It’s one of the games I enjoy the most.”
As these friendships continue to blossom ahead of the 2025 season, fans are loving it. What do you think about Alcaraz’s prospects for the next season though? Will he win his fifth Grand Slam title in Melbourne? Let us know in the comments below.
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Debate
Is the Alcaraz-Tiafoe banter the most entertaining rivalry in tennis right now?