Life-changing win for Tiafoe in Delray Beach

Published by AP

Frances Tiafoe; Getty Images
Frances Tiafoe’s breakthrough ATP victory in Delray Beach was significant in ways beyond winning his first tour-level title.

Frances Tiafoe won the Delray Beach Open, with father Frances Sr. watching, on Sunday for his first ATP Tour title.

The 91st-ranked Tiafoe, the first wildcard recipient to win the title in its 26-year history, had consecutive aces on the final two points for a 6-1 6-4 victory over Peter Gojowczyk of Germany.

At 20, Tiafoe is the youngest American to win a title since Andy Roddick at 19 in 2002 in Houston.

> ATP WRAP: Tiafoe breaks through, Schwartzman cracks top 20

Tiafoe fell on his back in celebration and cried as he hugged his father.

“Now I’m in a position not only to help myself, but help fund my family,” Tiafoe said. “It’s an unbelievable place to be in and it’s bigger than tennis.”

Tiafoe’s parents moved from Sierra Leone to the United States looking for a better life.

The elder Tiafoe ended up working as a maintenance worker at a Maryland tennis club where the American-born Frances fell in love with the game. His twin brother, Franklin, wasn’t interested in the sport.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Frances Sr., who now frequently travels the tour with his son. “I told them since they were little, work hard and you can achieve your goal. I told him whatever you put your mind to you can do it.”

Tiafoe, who should move up to approximately No. 61 in Monday’s new rankings, was playing in his first career tour-level final at Delray Beach.

He entered last week’s New York Open, where he reached the quarterfinals, with nine total career ATP tour-level match victories.

In the last two-weeks he has won seven tour matches. Among those recent victories is a second-round win over 10th-ranked Juan Martin del Potro this week.

Gojowczyk had beaten the last 14 American players he faced in tour and non tour-level matches since falling to Tiafoe at the Winnetka Challenger.

“I told you guys I was going to get him,” said Tiafoe, laughing. “All the guys were texting me, ‘You have to take him out.”‘

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