American tennis star Francis Tiafoe praised for ‘classy’ move after US Open win
American tennis superstar Francis Tiafoe pulled off a comeback for the ages in the quarterfinals of the US Open on Tuesday afternoon as he came back and won the match while down two sets and a break late in the third set, winning in five sets.
It was a legendary performance from the American star, but it was what he did after the match that led to praise throughout the country.
Tiafoe Consoles Michelsen
Tiafoe entered Tuesday’s match against fellow American Alex Michelsen as the favorite to win the match, but he found himself in a deep hole, trailing by two sets and a break with Michelsen serving for the match in the third set. Tiafoe ended up breaking Michelsen, winning the game, and then winning the next two sets to take the match.
After clinching the victory, Tiafoe immediately began to celebrate, tossing his racket on the ground. But he instantly cut his celebration short to go console his opponent and friend.
FOE-NOMENAL
From two sets and a break down, and then a break down in the fifth, Frances Tiafoe defeats Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6! pic.twitter.com/8PMMeQ0ETh
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2026
When Tiafoe embraced him, Michelsen immediately began to cry as he was overcome with emotion.
“I really like Alex,” Tiafoe said after the match via ESPN. “I really, really do, and I just wanted to come up there and just dap him up. I didn’t think it was going to be as long as it was, but I understand the moment. He was definitely crying on my shoulders. Yeah, we just had some words for each other, and that was it.”
“I was trying to keep it together and I didn’t do a good job of that,” Michelsen said. “He was saying a lot of nice personal things. ‘You’ll be there. When I’m older, you’re going to be here, and we’re going to play it again in this type of circumstance.’ All that good stuff. He’s a great guy for consoling me in that moment.”
Heading into the match, Michelsen said that Tiafoe is an “unbelievable guy and a very good friend of mine,” and he had similar things to say after the match, too.
“I don’t think anyone else could have made me cry in that moment, to be honest,” Michelsen said.
‘Such a class act’
Needless to say, Tiafoe received a lot of praise for his classy gesture after the match.
“This is why we love Tiafoe. Celebrates, then shares a beautiful moment with his fellow American after an absolute war. Such a class act,” wrote broadcaster Tyler Lochte.
“The greatness of sports — and sportsmanship,” wrote former ESPN reporter Ed Werder.
“What a match. What a post match hug,” wrote Darren Rovell.
“Wants to celebrate, but remembers there were two people on that stage. This is what sports should be,” wrote Sean Greene of WDEL.
“Tiafoe is such class act… an amazing story too,” wrote former Barack Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter.
“The way he delayed/stopped this huge moment of glory to console a friend is such a testament to his character,” wrote another fan.
Tiafoe will now face off against fellow American Ben Shelton in the semifinals.
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