Durant On Tiafoe: 'He's Bringing The Energy'

Ben Solomon/Mubadala Citi DC Open

Frances Tiafoe was not the only local star inside the Stadium at the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Tuesday night. NBA superstar Kevin Durant was in attendance to watch the American’s 7-6(5), 7-6(5) victory over Aslan Karatsev.

After the match, the two shared a nice embrace on court. Durant joined Tiafoe and stadium emcee Rennae Stubbs for an interview on court. How is Durant’s tennis game?

“Mine is nonexistent,” Durant said, cracking a laugh. “But there was a lot of energy in the building tonight. It was exciting, I’m glad he got the win.”

"He's just bringing that energy from this area... we're all proud of him."

NBA legend @KDTrey5 with some love for @FTiafoe at @mubadalacitidc 🤩 pic.twitter.com/bjtwZIvaVc

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 2, 2023

Durant was sure to point out the impact Tiafoe is making on his local community. The American last year made the US Open semi-finals and this June cracked the Top 10 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. The fans showed their appreciation for Tiafoe’s efforts all night long and helped push him to his win.

“He’s just bringing, first of all, that energy from this area,” Durant said. “He’s representing right, so we’re all proud of him.”

Tiafoe has long spoken about his roots as a kid in the area training at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland. On Tuesday he came full circle and was the centre of attention, celebrated by a global icon in Durant.

“Think about it. I was a kid who had an opportunity and dreamed massively big. Shouldn't be doing any of these things, honestly. [I was] sneaking into this event, telling my parents I was going to be a pro at a super young age, against all odds, wearing hand-me-down clothes, holes in my shoes, cargo shorts,” Tiafoe said. “Now I'm playing this tournament. People are here to see me. I'm packing it out. Doubles was nuts yesterday. Packed it out today. Guys like KD and [Kentavious] Caldwell-Pope and Gaff [Daniel Gafford] want to come see me play.

“I have just worked really hard over the years. I think it's come from a great place. I'm super humble about it. I'm humble they want to take the time out and come and watch me play. Yeah, it's so impactful, and it's one of those things you want to keep these moments going.”