Roger Federer has tipped 19-year-old Frances Tiafoe for future stardom following his straight sets win at the Miami Open.
The 18-time grand slam champion was made to work hard during his second round match on Saturday. Throughout the opening set there were no break points as Tiafoe display a fierce performance to tame the Swiss player before being edged out in the tiebreaker.
“I think the question was always how was he going to come out. It’s the question also for any player. Also for me. How can you start a match? Seemed to be fearless, no problem, good serving, taking the ball early, making the plays,” said Federer.
“That’s what I like to see, when a younger player comes out, that he really feels he has nothing to lose and he’s only got stuff to gain.”
Eventually Federer’s experience and intensity proved too much for the American teenager as he sealed the match 7-6(2), 6-3.
Born in 1998 (the same year Federer made his debut on the ATP Tour), Tiafoe is currently ranked 101st in the world and won a duo of Challenger titles last year. This season he won his first ever main draw grand slam match after defeating Mikhail Youzhny at the Australian Open.
Despite Tiafoe’s Miami exit, 35-year-old Federer believes it was a very important learning curve for the youngster.
“I hope he’s going to learn a lot from a match like this just because playing on a center court with a lot of people, under pressure, saving break points, making break points, playing breakers – that’s what it’s about. And it should feed a player like him with a lot of energy moving forward hopefully,” Federer explained.
The high praise from the Swiss player will be something that Tiafoe will relish. Prior to their clash on Saturday, the 18-year-old described the world No.6 as his idol. The two players have met in person twice before at the French and US Open.
“He is my idol, everyone’s idol. People on tour stare at him in the locker room. He is an absolute legend. We hope he never retires because he is such a good ambassador for the sport. He is too smooth to emulate. You can’t emulate a guy like him. He makes it look way too easy.” Tiafoe said of Federer.
Following his second round win, Federer will play Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro on Monday. It will be the first meeting between the two since the 2013 ATP World Tour Finals. Meanwhile, Tiafoe will start preparing for the European clay tournaments.
