Frances Tiafoe of the United States with his father Frances Sr. after his match with Peter Gojowczyk of Germany at the Delray Beach Open held at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center on February 25, 2018. PETER STAPLES/ATP WORLD TOUR VIA GETTY
Frances Tiafoe has thanked his mom, Alphina, and dad, Frances Sr., for helping shape his tennis career.
Frances Tiafoe, one of the top 10 tennis players in the world, owes much of his success to his parents, Alphina and Frances Sr. Tiafoe.
Born to immigrant parents from Sierra Leone, Frances and his twin brother, Franklin, grew up in Maryland, where their father worked as the head of maintenance at the Junior Tennis Champions Center, while their mother, Alphina, a nurse practitioner, provided stability and support off the court.
Frances has often credited his mother and father for their unwavering support and sacrifices, which allowed him to pursue his dreams.
“I realize now how hard he worked, and how much he sacrificed, to allow my brother and me to chase our dreams and have the life he and my mom wanted us to have — the one they couldn’t have in Sierra Leone,” the tennis pro wrote in a 2020 essay in The Players’ Tribune.
From their humble beginnings to their continued presence in his life, Frances’ parents have played an integral role in his journey on the court. Now, as he competes in the 2024 US Open, vying for a spot in the semifinals, they’re still cheering him on from the stands.
Here’s everything to know about Frances Tiafoe’s parents, Alphina and Frances Sr. Tiafoe.
They’re from Sierra Leone
Alphina and Frances Sr.’s journey to the U.S. began in the 1990s when Sierra Leone was engulfed in a brutal civil war that resulted in nearly thousands of deaths and millions of displaced citizens.
Ultimately, Alphina and Frances Sr. decided to emigrate to the U.S. in 1996. The experiences they carried from their move and resilience in a new country, profoundly shaped their outlook on life and passed down lessons to their sons.
Frances has spoken about how visiting Sierra Leone as a child opened his eyes to the stark realities of life outside the U.S., making him appreciate his parents’ strength and the opportunities they provided for him and his brother.
“There’s nothing really that can prepare you for … the culture shock, I guess you could call it, of going to a country like that,” the athlete wrote in his essay.
Frances’ dad was head of maintenance at a tennis centre
Frances’ love for tennis was nurtured at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, MD., where his father, Frances Sr., served as head of maintenance.
Frances Sr.’s role at the JTCC went beyond maintaining the facility — he also played a crucial part in his sons’ early exposure to the sport. Frances and Franklin often accompanied him to work, spending entire days at the tennis centre.
“On nights when my mom was working the night shift, my brother, Franklin, and I would go stay with Dad,” Frances recalled in his essay. “He’d sleep on the massage table so that Franklin and I could have the couches.”
Frances Tiafoe with his parents and brother. FRANCES TIAFOE/INSTAGRAM
Once Frances rose to stardom, he immediately returned to where his career started.
In July 2023, Frances announced a $250,000 fund to support tennis education and access in 270 communities nationwide, with his parents by his side at the Junior Tennis Champions Center, to which he gifted $50,000 as part of the initiative.
“I’m a product of this place,” he told AP News at the time. “I’m a guy who was given a chance — who wouldn’t have had one — and look what I was able to do with it.”
Alphina balanced work and raising Frances
While Frances Sr. worked at the tennis centre, Alphina played an equally important role in the sons’ lives as a nurse practitioner.
“Any time we’d cough, Mom would be sure to make sure we were all right,” Frances wrote, reflecting on his childhood.
Alphina’s dedication to her profession was a source of inspiration for Frances, who has often spoken about the toughness his mother displayed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When I asked her not to go in for work, she didn’t listen,” Frances wrote of the unprecedented times. “Because she loves to work. Because she and Dad don’t know the meaning of a break. Because they got your back.”
Alphina’s unwavering commitment to her family and work instilled in her sons the values of hard work and perseverance.
“That ‘zone’ that I have to get into when I’m down a set or something like that? That exists for my mom when things are getting chaotic in the nursing home and you need a calm head to make decisions that, in the end, are way more important than a tennis match,” the tennis pro added.
Frances’ mom took him to Sierra Leone to connect with his roots
When Frances was 8 years old, Alphina took him and his brother on a trip to Sierra Leone to help foster a connection with their family history. The trip profoundly impacted Frances, who described it as a “culture shock” that opened his eyes to the realities of life in a developing country.
The poverty he witnessed was a stark contrast to his life in the U.S. while also giving him a deep appreciation for his parents’ sacrifices. Despite the challenges, Frances was struck by the resilience and happiness of the people he met in Sierra Leone.
“That feeling I had in Sierra Leone, of realizing how happy people were over there, how unselfish they were in their way of life,” the athlete penned. “I understand now that they may have been financially poor, but they were really rich. Do you feel me? Their lives were rich.”
In 2021, Frances shared on Instagram that he and his family were allowed to meet with government leaders in Sierra Leone.
“Huge moment for my family and I. To meet the president and First Lady of Sierra Leone,” he wrote. “Absolute honor and can’t wait to visit. Thanks for the opportunity.”
Frances credits his parents for his success
Frances doesn’t shy away from acknowledging his parents’ role in his rise to tennis stardom.
From his father’s early encouragement to his mother’s constant support, Frances credits them with giving him the tools and opportunities he needed to succeed.
“I’m blessed because I got some of [my father’s] drive … his will to get something done,” Frances wrote.
He often expresses his gratitude publicly. Whether it’s through social media shout-outs or interviews, he continues to honour his parents and their crucial part in his career trajectory.
