Frances Tiafoe is back on the ground where he once made history. The then 17-year-old Tiafoe, who became the youngest American to play in the main draw of the French Open since 1989, is continuing his prowess at Roland Garros this year like every season. And cheering him on is his long-term girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield.
While Frances Tiafoe played against Mattia Bellucci in the first round of the French Open, the tennis world held its breath throughout the game. Ultimately, Tiafoe, with his outstanding performance, emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. Happy and emotional at this achievement, the 2022 U.S. Open semifinalist wrote on Instagram, “Nothing good comes easy….. round 1 ✅. See y’all again tomorrow ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿. #godspeed #humble&hungry #darkhorse.”
However, when an Instagram user tried to criticize the former World No. 10, and commented, “Man you not him right now bro you need to get some wins” his girlfriend, Broomfield, fumed at the comment, and wrote, “He’s been him. always him. take your negativity elsewhere.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
View this post on Instagram
Frances Tiafoe, who once ruled the top 10 rankings, has been struggling with form lately. Although he reached the final of the ATP Houston earlier this season, Tiafoe has only managed to win 12 out of 23 matches so far in 2024. Therefore, this has heavily impacted his ranking, which has now declined to a level of 26. But, during tough times like this, Ayan Broomfield has his back.
Be it posting about her love for the American on social media or cheering him from the stands during Tiafoe’s matches, Ayan Broomfield’s support has always been visible. Even during the Indian Wells tournament, Broomfield was there in the audience, praising her boyfriend’s performance on-court.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
And when Tiafoe made history in the 2022 U.S. Open by being the first Black player to reach the semifinals, Broomfield was there to handle the “drastic change” that happened “overnight.” “I think it helped that we were so close because it was a lot. It was a lot very quickly, and we were not expecting it,” Broomfield once said. However, handling the challenging times in his career was also not easy, as Broomfield once revealed in an interview.
Frances Tiafoe’s girlfriend sheds light on how she wants to support her boyfriend “when he’s feeling nervous”
The former WTA tennis pro once confessed that handling the ups and downs of her boyfriend’s career indeed takes a lot of effort. But, according to her, having experience as a professional tennis player has helped her in this case. However, Frances Tiafoe’s girlfriend still feels it is “a lot” to handle for both of them.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“Sometimes you know when he’s feeling nervous or he’s not feeling great, and you just feel for him. You’re constantly talking to each other. It’s little comments here and there, little glances here and there, so you have to be locked in the entire time. But it’s definitely a lot. And you just want to make sure that he feels that he has your support.”
Broomfield, who wants “Frances to be a Grand Slam champion,” is there for her boyfriend, Frances Tiafoe. And as the tournament proceeds, Tiafoe will surely continue to make his mark in the French Open, armed with her girlfriend’s constant love and support.