The pursuit of greater prize money in tennis continues to be a major topic of discussion.
Earlier this year, the Professional Tennis Players Association [PTPA] launched a significant claim against the tennis tours.
The PTPA asked for several changes to the sport, perhaps none more significant than a greater distribution of prize money.
Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for PTPA
Shortly after, the top 20 players in men’s and women’s tennis sent a letter to the four Grand Slams, demanding a ‘substantial increase’ in prize money at the events.
One of the ATP Tour’s most outspoken stars has now been asked just how far he and others would be willing to go to make change happen.
Appearing as a guest on the Changeover podcast, Frances Tiafoe was asked whether he’d join his fellow ATP stars in a hypothetical boycott of the US Open in a bid for changes such as an increase in prize money.
“The problem is, though, and you need the best players in the world to do it, the problem is, though, I just don’t trust these guys out here,” said Tiafoe.
“I feel like they’re fake.
“Everyone would be like, oh, yeah, [in] the meeting before, yeah, man, screw this, man, f— this, man.
“I ain’t playing, like, we all need money. It’s about the tour, it’s about the next generation, this and that.
“Next day, you see everybody tying their shoes, over there doing bands and all that.
“You don’t know who’s really about it or not, because you say it, and then you —– around and pull out, and then all these dudes stayed in.”
Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images
Tiafoe believes it will be tricky to make change happen until players get on the ‘same page’.
“That’s how I feel about the PTPA and the lawsuits, it’s like, it’s cool and whatever, and you know, those guys who are in support of it, or behind it, I’m sure are trying to do good things for the game,” he said.
“But until we get real unity, and everyone’s really on the same page, for me personally, it doesn’t really move the needle.”
It would likely be hard for Tiafoe to agree not to take part at Flushing Meadows, considering his previous successes at the US Open.
Twice, the 27-year-old has reached the last four in New York, his most successful Grand Slam tournament, by quite some distance.
Tournament20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025Australian Open––2R1RQF1R2R2R3R2R2RFrench Open1R–1R1R1R1R1R2R3R2R–Wimbledon––2R3R1R–3R4R3R3R–US Open1R1R1R2R2R4R4RSFQFSF–
Frances Tiafoe’s record at Grand Slam tournaments
In 2024, Tiafoe lost to Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals of the US Open, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, narrowly missing out on a place in his first Major final.
Some have, however, expressed concerns over his level at the event compared to others, as Jon Wertheim questioned whether Tiafoe puts ‘too much emphasis’ on the US Open, in a discussion with Andy Roddick last year.
The American is yet to truly get going in 2025, potentially proving Wertheim correct.
Approaching the end of April, Tiafoe has accumulated just 500 points on the ATP Tour, fewer than 46 other players in men’s tennis.
RankNamePoints1Carlos Alcaraz2,7405Alex de Minaur1,63510Alejandro Davidovich Fokina1,36020Tomas Machac95530Camilo Ugo Carabelli67240Luciano Darderi54447Frances Tiafoe50050Flavio Cobolli47575Christopher O’Connell325100Shintaro Mochizuki242
Selected players in the ‘Live ATP Race to Turin’
Tiafoe has had real issue stringing wins together this year, often winning just a singular match at a tournament before falling to defeat.
Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images
He enjoyed his best week this year in Houston, when Tiafoe lost to Jenson Brooksby in the final of the US Men’s Clay Court Championships.
Tiafoe will hope to enjoy another strong showing on the clay at this week’s Madrid Open tournament.
The American will take to the court against Luciano Darderi in the second round on Saturday, April 27.
