Frances Tiafoe‘s tennis journey has been stellar, but trodden with hardships. The family did not have the means to pay for his training. So it started with free tennis lessons arranged by his father, Constant, thanks to him being a custodian of the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC), on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. Days must have been tough, but not stale. Because Frances had his partner in crime on all those outings: his twin brother Franklin, minutes older than him. Here’s everything we know about Franklin, who is also good with racket and ball.

Franklin Tiafoe’s journey in tennis is built out of motivation, love for the sport, and a desire to step out of his brother’s shadow. Franklin consistently developed his interest in tennis at the JTCC in Maryland. Although both brothers picked up a tennis racket at an early age, Franklin’s path was different from the initial phase itself.

Despite his love for the game, he didn’t have the same intense focus that Frances did. “I was always at the courts, but I wasn’t as serious about it at first,” Franklin admitted in an interview, as he recalled how his father would sometimes keep him off the court because of his mischievous behavior.

Franklin’s attitude toward tennis began to change in high school when he was transferred to DeMatha Catholic. He emerged as the best player on the team there but the fact that he was consistently compared to his brother weighed heavily on him. Determined to make a name for himself, Franklin began taking the sport more seriously and therefore spent countless hours practicing and working out.

“I would stay late at the courts, hitting serves and working out, even when my mom thought I was messing around,” he said. His hard work eventually paid off as he later received the opportunity to play for Salisbury University, where he continued to develop his skills. However, Franklin soon realized that his true calling wasn’t playing the game at the highest level, but mentoring others.

As his college days ended, the 26-year-old began volunteering as a coach for the Howard University tennis team. This experience showed him a new path to travel professionally. “Coaching gave me a different kind of fulfillment,” Franklin said. “Seeing young players improve and knowing I had a hand in their growth meant a lot to me.” His time at Howard helped him hone his coaching abilities as he realized that this was where he could make his mark in the tennis world.

Today, Frances Tiafoe’s brother is wholeheartedly dedicated to building his own legacy as a tennis coach. While the ATP Pro continues to rise in the professional ranks, Franklin is focused on helping the next generation of players reach their potential. He also aims to be recognized not just as Frances’s brother, but as a skilled coach in his own right. “I want to be known as Franklin Tiafoe,” he says. “Coaching is where I can truly make a difference, and I’m committed to making that happen.”

With Franklin trying to build his own legacy, we have two success stories emerging from one American household. However, besides carrying a desire to be known by his own name, Franklin and Frances have never shared a feeling of jealousy.

Franklin’s consistent support in Frances Tiafoe’s journey

Franklin Tiafoe is known to fully support his brother Frances as he continues to rise in the tennis world. There is no jealousy or rivalry between them but only a feeling of mutual encouragement. In a past interview, Franklin shared that his brother’s growing fame doesn’t bother him. Instead, he stays focused on his own progress. Part of Franklin’s journey involves learning to control his emotions on the court.

Ken Brody, who funded the Junior Tennis Champions Center where Franklin played in his younger days, once mentioned that Franklin could be a hothead as he could be seen cursing during matches, but he would overcome it with maturity, as Roger Federer did.

Franklin is frequently seen attending his brother’s matches, cheering him on alongside their parents, Constant Tiafoe and Alphina Kamara, with Frances’ girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield also joining the party. Despite being in the shadow of his own brother, Franklin has managed to be committed to his own path in the world of tennis.

Besides tennis, both brothers are frequently seen sharing their joyous moments on Instagram. Fans were quite delighted to see the adorable bond between them, as Frances shared a picture standing alongside his brother with both siblings twinning in similar outfits. As they continue to progress in their journey, both Frances and Franklin have laid examples for the young, aspiring players.