There’s no specific time for charity work. But the offseason allows players to engage in such acts of kindness without restraints or stress about their impending touring commitments. Merely days after Emma Raducanu did charity work in her hometown, Frances Tiafoe was spotted bringing smiles onto locals’ faces this Thanksgiving. Subsequently, his girlfriend Ayan Broomfield couldn’t help but express happiness over his act.

Despite concluding the season on a rough note, Tiafoe is seemingly up for maintaining optimistic energy as he proceeded to participate in a Turkey dinner giveaway organized by a Virginia-based nonprofit organization, ‘The Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others’ Foundation.

In a series of stories posted by Broomfield on Instagram, the duo was seen engaging with the neighboring communities as they enthusiastically served turkey during the holiday season, dressed in the foundation’s apparel. “Yessss queen happy thanksgiving!!!!!!” she wrote. Tiafoe shared Broomfield’s story on his social media, “✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿”

It’s fair to say that the 2024 season was a bit of a rollercoaster for Tiafoe. After recovering from his slow start at the Australian Open, the American sensation was somewhat consistent with results until the North American hardcourt swing commenced. He finished runner-up in Cincy and reached the last four in New York. However, as luck would have it, Tiafoe couldn’t capitalize on his strengths at events leading to the season-ending Paris Masters, and when we finally arrived in Shanghai, he was slapped with a heft fine.

A controversial first-serve ducking call boiled his frustrations, resulting in him exploding and sending expletives in the direction of the chair umpire. He was fined a maximum of $120,000 for disregarding on-court regulations and verbal abuse and, later, issued an apology for his demeanor on social media.

Not that doing charity work needs a reason, but Tiafoe has got one, regardless. The former World No. 10 lived a tough life as a kid and understood what it’s like when the chips are stacked against you.

Frances Tiafoe grew up in poverty with limited resources

American superstar Frances Tiafoe is the living embodiment of the saying ‘rags to riches’. The 26-year-old talent had to suffer a great deal of ordeal during his childhood days as his parents, Alphina Kamara and Constant (Frances Sr.), fled to the US from Sierra Leone’s civil war. To narrate his living situation back in the day, Tiafoe emphasized the importance of perseverance and highlighted early struggles when he talked to fellow player Nick Kyrgios during a podcast interview earlier this year.

He said, “There’s days where it got tough for me, my brother. We’re going to practice, and we’re wearing hand-me-down stuff or demo rackets, whatever you can play with. People are laughing at us, saying, ‘This guy thinks he can be a pro, or this guy is playing with holes in his shoes, whose shoes are those or Pikachu shirts and khaki shorts, and I’m playing tournaments, and they’re like, ‘That’s not even tournament equipment’ and I’m like, ‘This is all I got.”

With no tour-level events lined up in his 2024 calendar, Tiafoe will likely enjoy the holiday season before he decides to get started with his training and focus on elevating his stature in the Australian hardcourt rubber in 2025.