The 2024 US Open is finally all set to deliver bulk excitement and action. Taylor Fritz, who made it to the semi-finals of the major event for the first time in his career, is set to test his levels against compatriot Frances Tiafoe. While it was obvious for fans to scan Tiafo’s box to spot Ayan Broomfield and Fritz’s for Morgan Riddle, sightings of surprising entity sparked curiosity. But who is this person in Tiafoe’s box and how is she mutually connected with Serena Williams? Let’s find out!

Tiafoe earned his rightful spot in the US Open semifinal after enduring a difficult slump earlier this year. However, there was more than a single aspect of his success and one of the key figures was the presence of Jill Smoller, his agent. She is renowned for her role as Serena Williams’ longtime agent, and her presence at Tiafoe’s matches points to an important and strategic partnership.

Her impressive career began when she joined the mailroom at ICM after an early end to her own professional tennis career due to knee injuries. Her hard work and dedication helped her rise through the ranks and eventually led her to William Morris Endeavor (WME) Entertainment in 2001. At WME, she led the sports and entertainment division and made a mark by negotiating major deals for top athletes, including Serena Williams. Her expertise in sports marketing and athlete representation has made her a pioneer in the industry.

When Tiafoe signed with IMG Tennis, which is a division of WME Sports, Smoller took the lead in managing his career. This move was significant for Tiafoe, as he was previously represented by Octagon. Smoller’s role goes beyond just handling endorsements as she has been helping Tiafoe with strategic decisions and career planning. This support has been crucial for the 26-year-old, especially as he navigates his professional journey and aims for his first Grand Slam title.

Tiafoe’s achievements from 2022 till now have had a slight backing from the impact of Smoller’s guidance. The American who made headlines for reaching the second grand slam semi-final, is currently the talk of the town. As he battles against his compatriot and old friend Taylor Fritz, the presence of this notable figure highlights how he has worked on strategies alongside his regular practice sessions. However, this wasn’t the only factor that drew a connection between Frances Tiafoe and Serena at the ongoing US Open.

Serena Williams takes time to guide Frances Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe felt extra motivation ahead of his match against Alexei Popyrin, who ousted Novak Djokovic. This happened because of a pep talk with Serena Williams, who was visiting the arena for bigger agendas on her schedule. Tiafoe won the match 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals against Grigor Dimitrov. Williams surprised him with her visit along with making sure she had enough time to motivate the American ATP star on his run.

“She told me she’s always following me, saying it’s so good to see that now that she’s done, I’m the guy of color playing and doing well,” Tiafoe said, in a press conference. “I’m, like, damn. That’s really, really cool that she sees me as that.” Williams, who played her final match at the US Open two years ago, created excitement when she returned to the tournament. She was spotted enjoying a “Honey Deuce” cocktail while watching matches.

“It was really cool to have her want to talk to me before a match and say I’m capable of doing it. It wouldn’t hit me the same if anyone else said it,” Tiafoe added. This meeting pumped up the confidence levels of the 26-year-old which also reflected in his performance. Although he failed to get past Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, the run still established his name as one of the strongest hard-court players as of now.