Return to site

American Frances Tiafoe Wins First ATP Tournament

Roger Clarke, Hinsdale

broken image

The recipient of a bachelor's degree in psychology from Chicago's DePaul University, Roger Clarke works as a tennis professional at Hinsdale Racquet Club while pursuing a graduate degree in teaching at National Louis University. In addition to teaching the sport at Hinsdale, Roger Clarke enjoys watching professional tennis.

Frances Tiafoe won his first career Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tournament on February 25 when he defeated Germany's Peter Gojowczyk 6-1, 6-4 in the final round of the Delray Beach Open. Ranked 91st in the world, the 20 year old became the youngest American to win an ATP Tour event since Andy Roddick won in Houston when he was 19 years old in 2002. Tiafoe was also the first ever wild-card entry to win the Delray Beach Open in its 26-year history.

Tiafoe was born in the United States, but his parents are from Sierra Leone. In search of a better life for their child, they moved to Maryland and the patriarch of the family began working as a maintenance worker at a local tennis club. Tiafoe fell in love with the sport while his father was working at the club and his rise up the world rankings has been rapid. Before the New York Open the week prior, he had won just nine ATP Tour matches. In addition to scoring a win over Gojowczyk, he also defeated 10th-ranked Juan Martin del Potro in the second round.