Q&A: Why tennis star Frances Tiafoe loves Charlotte
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Frances Tiafoe at the Charlotte Invitational at Spectrum Center on Dec. 6, 2024. Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Frances Tiafoe returned to North Carolina this week for another appearance in the Charlotte Invitational. It's a city he enjoyed so much last year — for its food, sports and people — that he extended his visit this second time around.
Why it matters: Charlotte is aiming to become a tennis destination, with the addition of this tournament by Charlotte Sports Foundation and sights set on building a dedicated stadium. Tiafoe, a star who has played countless courts, says the area has what it needs to get there: "great city, great hospitality, great food."
- "Those are the main things you want from a great event," he says.
Axios sat courtside with Tiafoe at Spectrum Center before his Thursday night match-up against Taylor Fritz. We talked about why he loves Charlotte and how he sees the tennis community growing here.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Were there any Charlotte spots that you wanted to make it a point to come back to this year?
Bunch of great food spots. Andy Dalton told me to go to O-Ku the other day. It was great ... But I mean, mainly, the people are more why I wanted to come here early and hang out.
And you're a big sports fan outside of just tennis?
I love the game of basketball. Very equipped with it. Obviously, NFL, too. NBA is definitely a passion of mine. One of my goals is I'd love to be a small minority owner of a team. I really understand the game.
How does Charlotte compare to other cities that you've played in, as far as the energy and the fans?
In the states, it's definitely one of my favorites. They really appreciate it. Sometimes when you have it so often, it's not as much ... demand. One night here, and it was pandemonium. You walk around the city and go eat after and people say, 'Oh, man, we love you. And we came last year." It's cool. I didn't realize how much they actually like tennis here.
They were talking at the press conference about how Taylor and all the tennis players hang out in Charlotte. Is it a friendly competition?
For sure. We played some big matches against each other. High level of respect for each other ... But yeah, I mean, we talk trash and all that. It's part of what makes it fun.
Are there any lessons that you think Charlotte could learn from any other city about how to grow tennis here?
They just need to find a way to get a sanctioned week ... Southern hospitality is a real thing. You feel so at home, and I think they would do it the right way. Got the infrastructure to do it. I think a lot of people would get behind it and want to see it.
Charlotte's been talking a lot about trying to get an actual tennis stadium here. Do you think that would be beneficial — or how do you feel about playing in a basketball court?
Spectrum's sick cause I love basketball. You're playing the same court LaMelo gets down and gets to it every night, and Kemba Walker and other legends played, and it's a great arena ... (A stadium) would help. But the problem is, if you do it and you don't use it, it's like, what are we doing? ... To get Cincinnati over here — barely missed on that opportunity ... That would've been huge for the city.
Will you want to come back next year if invited?
If invited, I will be here. I enjoy it. I think it's great. It sits in a nice week for me: beginning of December, when I can still have my off-season ... But regardless of me coming or not, I hope this keeps going annually. Just keep it going and keep growing it. Because I think everybody in the city of Charlotte loves it.