![](\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2023%2F09%2Ffrancis-tiafoe-tennis-player-us-open-match-interview-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/span>Sarah Stier\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI just approach each match with focus,\u201d he told Hypebeast in a post-competition interview. \u201cI try to give it my all.\u201d<\/p>\n Just days before the latest US Open, Tiafoe stayed out of the limelight while training in his home state of Maryland at the renowned Junior Tennis Champions Center. The JTCC is where Tiafoe first learned to play tennis at the age of four, when his father began working on the center\u2019s construction crew.<\/p>\n Tiafoe has learned the lay of the land since first competing in the competition in 2014. These past two weeks saw him go head to head with fellow American, Learner Tien, followed by matches against Sebastian Ofner, Adrian Mannarino, and Rinky Hijikata.<\/p>\n While his 2023 US Open run came to a close in a defeat to American underdog, Ben Shelton, Tiafoe remains content, noting he’s grateful to be in the position [he’s] in,” as it was the first time multiple Black American men had advanced to the quarterfinals in US Open history. “It’s great with two people of color going at it. Obviously a historic moment,” Tiafoe told the press after the match.<\/p>\n Tiafoe\u2019s gameplay wasn\u2019t the only thing catching the public’s attention, he also was turning heads for his outfits on the court. In his match against Hijikata, he sported a teal tank top splashed with an abstract geometric graphic in shades of orange and a lighter blue. Complimenting the flashy top was a pair of teal shorts and bright red sneakers, courtesy of Nike, who he\u2019s been sponsored by since 2016. Tiafoe says he collaborates with the brand to select outfits for each competition that he feels \u201cbest fits [his] personality.\u201d<\/span><\/span> <\/span>Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n Perhaps more notable, fans also took notice on the number of times Tiafoe changed his shirt within a match. During his faceoff with Ofner, Tiafoe was documented to have swapped his top six times. The incident was so commented on that the New York Times<\/em> even dedicated a thinkpiece to it. While some athletes are no stranger to superstitions or compulsive rituals, Tiafoe simply wants to be comfortable as he plays in temperatures that have recently risen above 90\u00b0F. \u201cI sweat a lot,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd it\u2019s been crazy hot in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond an outfit change, or six, Tiafoe continues to keep it stylish off the court. A lifelong \u201clover of cars\u201d who always fantasized about owning his own, the player was recently named a Global Brand Ambassador for Cadillac and these days, he\u2019s whipping around in a custom black Cadillac Escalade with red interior.<\/p>\n\u201cI just approach each match with focus. I try to give it my all.\u201d<\/q><\/p>\n
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