Frances Tiafoe lost to Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round of the US Open on August 29, 2025. The German won 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7) in a straight-sets victory.
What happened?
Tiafoe was broken five times, while Struff scored on 88 percent of his first serves.
Why it matters for Frances Tiafoe
This loss is a significant setback for American men's tennis, which has not had a major winner since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Tiafoe had his back taped, but said it was precautionary and would not use that as an excuse.
What comes next?
Tiafoe will look to regroup and prepare for his next tournament, after being ousted in the second round at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
The sixth-seeded Ben Shelton also crashed out of the US Open, retiring due to a shoulder injury. Shelton was leading Adrian Mannarino when he injured his shoulder and retired at the start of the fifth set.
Tiafoe said he played extremely passive and did not put any pressure on Struff. He also said he had a little window to take the match, but did not take it.
The American men's tennis team was tipped to end the 22-year drought in men's majors, but suffered major heartbreak in Flushing Meadows. Pat McEnroe had boldly predicted that an American man would finally win the US Open.
Shelton said he was unsure if he would need any imaging for his shoulder injury. He also said that he had never retired before and was not a guy who would retire if he could continue.
Tiafoe finished the match with a loss, and will look to bounce back in his next tournament. The US Open continues, with other American players looking to make a deep run in the tournament.
The loss is a tough pill to swallow for Tiafoe, who had been playing well leading up to the US Open. He will look to regroup and come back stronger in his next tournament.
Tiafoe's next match will be closely watched, as he looks to bounce back from this tough loss. He will look to use this experience to improve and come back stronger.
The US Open will continue, with the remaining players looking to make a deep run in the tournament. The American men's tennis team will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next tournament.