Participant Information
Tiafoe and Sabalenka react to Federer’s presence at Arthur Ashe night time session
5-time US Open champion watches Tiafoe and Sabalenka advance to semi-finals
September 04, 2024
Jamie Squire/Getty Photos
Federer received 5 consecutive US Open titles from 2004 – 2008.
By ATP Employees
Though Frances Tiafoe and Aryna Sabalenka have been centered on vital enterprise on court docket throughout Tuesday’s night time session, each gamers admitted to being conscious of the star presence of Roger Federer, who watched from the stands of the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Federer, who received 5 consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows from 2004 – 2008, was seen in one of many stadium packing containers, chatting with former US Open semi-finalist Tim Henman, and Commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell.
The Swiss legend first noticed Sabalenka overcome Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-2 within the girls’s quarter-final. He then watched American hope Tiafoe defeat Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-1 to advance to the boys’s semi-final because the Bulgarian retired with damage.
Tiafoe spoke concerning the feeling of getting the 20-time Grand Slam champion watching: “Yeah, I imply, that was fairly sick. Clearly, I wasn’t desirous about it that a lot. The final couple years of Laver Cup you form of get used to that, seeing him within the stands.”
The No. 16 within the PIF ATP Reside Rankings additionally joked about Federer’s trademark sophistication: “The way in which he regarded within the suites is similar manner he regarded when he was enjoying. No sweat. Tees ironed good. What’s up with this dude, man? Hair good.
“What a man. What a legend. So good he is having fun with his life, doing his factor, simply popping in wherever he form of desires to, and everybody embraces him. Unbelievable wherever he goes. I imply, he is such an icon.”
Sabalenka spoke concerning the impact of Federer’s presence on her sport: “I noticed him there, noticed him on the massive display. I imply, I am fairly positive he got here to look at Tiafoe and Dimitrov, however nonetheless, I used to be like, ‘Okay, I’ve to play my finest tennis so he enjoys it’.
“I needed to present my expertise you recognize, slice expertise, come to the online and all that stuff.”