Rising tennis star Tiafoe staying focused after ‘crazy month’

USA’s Frances Tiafoe of Team World crashes into the net as he’s unable to return the ball to Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas of Team Europe during their 2022 Laver Cup men’s singles tennis match at the O2 Arena in London on September 25, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP)

Frances Tiafoe on Sunday reflected on a “crazy month” that saw him reach a US Open semi-final and play a starring role at the Laver Cup — but hopes that’s just the start.

The world number 19 from the United States made a name for himself when he stunned Rafael Nadal on his way to a shock final-four appearance at Flushing Meadows last month.

He followed that up by leading Team World to their first Laver Cup title in London and even beat Roger Federer in doubles in the final match of the retiring tennis great’s career.

Tiafoe, in Tokyo for the Japan Open, believes he has “a lot to give to the game”.

Team World players run to celebrate with USA’s Frances Tiafoe (L) after his victory over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas of Team Europe during their 2022 Laver Cup men’s singles tennis match at the O2 Arena in London on September 25, 2022. – Team World win the tournament, beating Team Europe 13-8 (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

“As far as the noise, obviously it comes with it. People will cheer me one day and the next you’ll be forgotten — you know how individual sports go.”

Tiafoe arrived for practice on Sunday after watching the Washington Wizards play the Golden State Warriors in an NBA pre-season match being held north of Tokyo.

He said he left at half-time because he had to “lock in” for the Japan Open, where he is the number four seed and will play Japanese wild card, Yasutaka Uchiyama, in the first round on Monday.

Top seed Casper Ruud, Nick Kyrgios, and Taylor Fritz will