Frances Tiafoe (USA) looks at his player's box after a point against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) (not pictured) in a men's singles semifinal on day twelve of the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Wizards' Bradley Beal shows Frances Tiafoe support at US Open

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 9/9/22

Frances Tiafoe on Friday night was playing in his first major semifinal, and he’s had some VIPs supporting him throughout his run at the US Open.

The 24-year-old Maryland native is a big fan of his hometown team, the Washington Wizards. Wizards star Bradley Beal has attended some of Tiafoe’s matches in the player’s private box during the US Open. Tiafoe even shouted out Beal after the emerging star’s upset win over Rafael Nadal.

For his quarterfinal match against Andrey Rublev, Tiafoe had even more basketball players in his box.

In addition to Beal, Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (formerly of the Wizards) attended. Other basketball players included Alex McLean, who played college ball at Liberty and professionally abroad; and Rob Dosier, a former player at Quincy and current assistant for the Wizards’ G League affiliate.

Bradley and Kamiah Beal, Kentavious and McKenzie Caldwell-Pope, Alex McLean, Rob Dosier, and Kiki Rice back in New York to support Frances Tiafoe in his quarterfinal matchup in the US Open pic.twitter.com/3sBrolVZ6a

— Hoop District (@Hoop_District) September 7, 2022

Tiafoe’s parents have also been attending his matches. His coach, Wayne Ferreira, is probably the most focused person of the group in the box.

Prior to his semifinal run at the US Open, Tiafoe’s best major finish was a quarterfinals appearance at the 2019 Australian Open. Entering Friday’s match, Tiafoe had only dropped one set all tournament — to Nadal in the fourth round.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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