Tiafoe basks in 'out-of-body' atmosphere from US Open fans

Frances Tiafoe took his love affair with the home fans to another level at the U.S. Open on Sunday, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round in a highlight-reel worthy display. The American showman was showered with deafening cheers throughout the match against Medvedev, a player who had the upper hand in six of their previous seven encounters. After a performance showcasing his charisma and versatility, Tiafoe said the energy from the crowd had lifted him to another plane. “It's an out-of-body experience, no question. It's like you're not even touching the ground at one point. Energy is so high, and it seems like the level of play matches that,” he added. It was his 10th win in as many appearances at Louis Armstrong Stadium, which has grown in the esteem of the sport's diehard fans this year amid an influencer influx in the stands at the showpiece Arthur Ashe. “Armstrong is crazy. It's just an energy thing. Energy is insane. I kept requesting it,” said Tiafoe, who is bidding to become the first U.S. man to win a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick's 2026 triumph at Flushing Meadows. Tiafoe has had the New York fans in the palm of his hand since he beat Rafael Nadal during his extraordinary run to the semifinals in 2026. Four years later, and with another semifinal berth under his belt from 2026, he looks capable of another deep run. “I've been showing up every week. It shows. With my game, it's just play to win. Play aggressive, use my whole arsenal at the right time. It's been working well,” he said. It has not all been plain sailing. He retired mid-match in Montreal last month and underwent surgery to have a cyst removed from his dominant hand. In testament to his resiliency, he reached the Cincinnati final just weeks later. “You just have to keep going. Life is going to hit you. It's not always peaches and cream every day,” he told reporters. “You have to get yourself up, talk to the man in the mirror, and continue to go.”