American world No. 22 Frances Tiafoe has spoken of his delight that the courts at the BNP Paribas Open are playing faster than in previous years after his 6-1, 6-2 Round of 32 victory over Italian Flavio Cobolli.
Speaking to the press after his victory, which took just under 70 minutes, he was clearly pumped to play on courts that suited his aggressive, hard-hitting game.
“You see my last two matches? It was damn great. I’m happy. I’m happy the courts are a little faster. Normally, it seems like a little grittier and definitely slower and high bounce. It’s right in the pocket and moving pretty good. For me and my game, it’s helping me much more than it has in years past.
I’ve always found it was a little too slow for me. Of course I had one great year in ’23, but outside of that, I haven’t played so, so well here. But this year, they’re going a little faster has definitely helped me.”
Tiafoe, who broke Cobolli four times and saved all five break points he faced, admitted he prefers playing in a loud atmosphere that he can feed off, after his match was contested in front of a relatively quiet crowd.
“I would like constant noise, I mean, constant noise and kind of tennis background noise. When
it’s super quiet and there’s no — it was like today was kind of quiet, and there was someone in the crowd with a walkie talkie talking, I was super annoyed.
But, you know, you go to the NBA games, soccer games, whatever the case may be, there’s so much noise. Even as a fan you don’t even notice it because you’re into the game and whatever.
Tennis is getting more and more like that. Obviously I think the umps are letting it go a little more, tournaments are trying to let it go more. I think the Open is uncontrollable. It’s the best.”
Tiafoe, who won 82% of his points on his first serve, underlined how he needs to focus on his own strengths as he prepares to face fellow big server Alexander Zverev in the Round of 16.
“Yeah, excited. Some matches you work for, it’s great. Obviously, he’s one of the better servers out here, so the biggest thing is to take care of my score and put scoreboard pressure. Go ahead and compete. I mean, I’m just excited for the battle.
“You know, I mean, he’s definitely a great player and so am I, and two guys kind of going at it. We’ll see. I think the past results don’t really have effect. Just go out and go out and believe in it and execute.”
The American also admitted he prefers competing on home soil, believing he often produces his best tennis in front of home crowds and in venues where he feels a stronger connection with the atmosphere.
“This is fun. It’s fun to play here. Obviously in New York it’s fun. I have close family and friends who come out, tons of energy. I always play later in the day too normally. You get kind of all day to rest and get ready for the show at night.
It’s fun, man, because a lot of times we spend a lot of time in Europe and away from home. I like to be back in the States and put on a show and try to be elite.”
