‘McEnroe said we better f***ing win!’ – Frances Tiafoe completes Team World comeback for maiden Laver Cup triumph
Frances Tiafoe sealed the turn of the tables for Team World as they ended Team Europe’s Laver Cup dominance at their fifth attempt.
The perennial runners-up went into the final day of play down 8-4 in the competition, meaning Team Europe only needed to win two of the remaining four rubbers to continue their streak to five titles.
But Felix Auger-Aliassime spearheaded a comeback by winning the opening doubles with Jack Sock before toppling 21-time Major champion Novak Djokovic to put Team World within one win of the title.
“Unbelievable feeling,” Tiafoe said after sealing the trophy with a win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. “Johnny Mac (McEnroe) was tired of losing.
“He kept dropping f-bombs saying that we needed to get it done this year. I kept saying all week leading up that this was our year. The guys showed up.
“We all did it together, it wasn’t just me, we did it together. I showed a lot of heart to get this done.
“This is big, we’re going to celebrate big tonight.”
London turns red.
The moment @FTiafoe won #LaverCup 2022 for Team World. pic.twitter.com/RbbcUMu5ri
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 25, 2022
Tiafoe looked in trouble when he lost the opening set 6-1 to Tsitsipas, but he locked in for the second set to win in a tiebreak before backing it up 10-8 in a match tiebreak.
The American has now won nine tiebreaks and one match tiebreak in a row across the Laver Cup and US Open, winning eight and losing none in New York during his run to the semi-finals.
“It looks like I’ve got that clutch game, I don’t know,” he continued. “The last couple of tournaments I’m playing in packed stadiums and just competing really well, just enjoying it.”
Fifth times the charm 🔴
Captain John McEnroe gets it done for Team World.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/0E2OyKGDf0
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 25, 2022
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