The Fall of Frances Tiafoe: A Season Ends in Frustration

It happened because he was ‘feeling it’. The same ‘feeling it’ he had at the US Open the next year, where he made the semifinals by simply playing amazing tennis which, in combination with his quickness and athleticism, can be a nightmare to counter. In any case, Tiafoe established himself as a really dangerous player at that time.

Frances Tiafoe’s Ranking Fall Outside the Top 25

For a while he continued improving, even becoming ranked in the Top 10, and many assumed that this was it. He was taking that next step. It hasn’t looked as good in 2025, though it didn’t look great in 2024 either. He dropped all the way down to no. 30, which is basically where he is right now as well.

Currently Tiafoe is no. 29 with a likely chance of hitting the lowest ranking he’s had since 2022, highlighting his struggles. His records have never looked impressive because of his streakiness. He’s never had a 50-win season, but this year he hasn’t even hit 30 yet and having withdrawn from the remaining tournaments, he won’t. That would be his lowest total since 2020.

Tiafoe’s Regression

If we look at his stats, we can see regression in several areas. This year is the lowest hold percentage he’s had in recent years at 79% compared to 85% in 2023 when he was ranked in the Top 10. That’s a pretty significant drop. He’s also serving worse overall, hitting his first serve 55% of the time compared to 60% in 2023. That won’t make anything on the court easier, which a 3% worse win rate on first serves compared to 2023 proves.

What’s more troubling than this statistical regression, and we’ve only highlighted the most important ones, is the mental side. Tiafoe very much looks like a player who is ‘over it’. He doesn’t seem inspired or joyous to play tennis, and it’s a big thing with him. We’re unsure of what might be the reason for it, but one has to wonder whether not having the coach who coached him to his breakthrough (Wayne Ferreira) with him is a factor. We’ve seen it many times in tennis, coaches do matter, and while it’s not the be all and end all, sometimes it can be.

Tiafoe’s Future

With that being said, Tiafoe still has plenty of time. He’s only 27, so he’s got a few more years ahead of him, and most importantly he’s got the skill and talent. He just has to find a way to channel it into a very good product on the court. He’s had moments in 2025 when he’s looked amazing, so overall there is optimism that he can find his best tennis again. Maybe he ends up being a proper late bloomer like Stan Wawrinka. Only time will tell but right now isn’t the best of time for him but a fighter like him, always finds a way.