Frances Tiafoe beat Rafael Nadal in the 1/8 finals of the US Open 2022, and then allowed herself to joke. The American says there could be a BIG 12 in the future as tennis enters a new era following the retirements of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

Frances TiafoePhoto: Darren Carroll/AP/Profimedia

Rafael Nadal defeated by Francis Tiafoe in the round of 16 of the US Open 2022

Tiafoe beat Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 after three and a half hours of play.

The American, ranked 26th in the world, defeated Rafa in three and a half hours of play.

Francis Tiafoe jokes: There will be a BIG 12 after the careers of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

Tiafoe believes that after the retirement of the BIG 3, there will be more players fighting for the most important trophies in world tennis.

“The high level of Nick Kyrgios is good for tennis, you see him filling stadiums. Alcaraz has an incredible personality.

Sinner, Tommy, Fritz, me. There are a lot of high level guys. I think after Federer, Nadal and Djokovic retire, there won’t be a Big Three, but it will be like a Big 12. It’s good to see a new era in men’s tennis.” – Frances Tiafoereports Eurosport.

Frances Tiafoe reveals where she thinks the difference was in her match against Nadal

“I played pretty well today. I entered the arena thinking that I could beat him. It helps that I’ve played against him a few times.

We haven’t seen each other for several years. I’m different now, I’m a completely different player. You see all these young players against Rafa, Fed, Novak, and you wonder, “Will I ever be able to say I beat any of them?”. Today I tried to do it.

This is one thing I can tell my children and grandchildren. I defeated Raphael.

It is about mental abilities. Rafa is present at every point. He knew how to keep me in the game. I know what I am capable of in matches. I don’t feel any pressure. I feel like I have nothing to prove. I’m here to play great tennis and enjoy it, as you can see.” – Frances Tiafoe.

Francis will face Andriy Rublev (9th seed) for a place in the semi-finals of the Flushing Meadows event, after the Russian edged Britain’s Cameron Norrie (7th), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.