All About Frances Tiafoe’s Parents, Alphina and Frances Sr. Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe, one of the top 10 tennis players in the world, owes much of her success to her parents, Alphania and Frances Sr. Tiafoe.

Born to immigrant parents from Sierra Leone, Frances and his twin brother Franklin grew up in Maryland, where their father worked as a maintenance manager at the Junior Tennis Champions Center while their mother, Alphina, a nurse, provided stability and support off the court.

Frances often credited her mother and father for their unwavering support and sacrifice, allowing him to follow his dreams.

“Now I realize how hard he worked and sacrificed to allow my brother and I to follow our dreams and have the life he and my mom wanted us to have – the kind they couldn’t have in Sierra Leone,” the tennis pro wrote in a 2020 essay in The Players’ Tribune.

From their humble beginnings to their continued presence in his life, Frances’ parents played an important role in his journey in the field. Now, as he competes in the 2024 US Open, fighting for a place in the semi-finals, he is still being cheered on from the stands.

Here’s everything you need to know about Frances Tiafoe’s parents, Alphina and Frances Sr. Tiafoe.

They are from Sierra Leone

Frances Tiafoe with her parents and brother.

Frances Tiafoe/Instagram

Alphina and Frances Sr.’s journey to the US began in the 1990s when Sierra Leone was engulfed in a brutal civil war that resulted in nearly thousands of deaths and millions of displaced citizens.

Ultimately, Alphina and Frances Sr. made the decision to immigrate to the US in 1996. The experiences they brought with them from relocation and resilience in a new country profoundly shaped their outlook on life and passed on lessons to their sons.

Frances spoke about how visiting Sierra Leone as a child opened his eyes to the harsh realities of life outside the US, making him appreciate the strength of his parents and the opportunities they provided for him and his brother.

“There’s nothing that can really prepare you for the … culture shock, I guess you could call it, of going to a country like that,” the athlete wrote in his essay.

Frances’s dad was the head of maintenance at the tennis center

Frances Tiafoe of the United States with her father Frances Sr. after her match against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany at the Delray Beach Open held at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center on February 25, 2018.

Peter Staples/ATP World Tour via Getty

Frances’ love of tennis was nurtured at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, MD, where his father, Frances Sr., worked as head of maintenance.

Frances Sr.’s role at JTCC went beyond maintaining the facility — he also played a key role in his sons’ early exposure to the sport. Frances and Franklin often accompanied him to work, spending whole days at the tennis center.

“On nights when my mom worked the night shift, my brother, Franklin, and I would go to my dad’s,” Frances recalled in her essay. “He would sleep on the massage table so Franklin and I could sit on the couches.”

After Frances became a star, he immediately returned to where he began his career.

In July 2023, Frances announced a $250,000 fund to support tennis education and outreach in 270 communities across the country, with his parents at his side at the Junior Tennis Champions Center, to which he donated $50,000 as part of the initiative.

“I’m a product of this place,” he told AP News at the time. “I’m a guy who got a chance – who wouldn’t have really had it – and look what I could have done with it.”

Alphina balanced work and raising Frances

Frances Tiafoe with her mom Alphina and brother Franklin.

Frances Tiafoe/Instagram

While Frances Sr. worked at the tennis center, Alphina played an equally important role in her sons’ lives as a nurse.

“Whenever we had a cough, Mom would make sure we were okay,” Frances wrote, reflecting on her childhood.

Alphina’s dedication to the profession was a source of inspiration for Frances, who often spoke of the fortitude shown by his mother, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When I asked her not to go to work, she didn’t listen to me,” Frances wrote about the unprecedented times. “Because he likes to work. Because she and dad don’t really know what a break means. Because they have your back.”

Alphina’s unwavering commitment to family and work instilled in her sons the values ​​of hard work and perseverance.

“That ‘zone’ I have to get into when I lose a set or something? It’s there for my mom when things get chaotic in the nursing home and you need a calm head to make decisions that are ultimately much more important than a tennis match,” added the tennis pro.

Frances’s mom took him to Sierra Leone to connect with his roots

Frances Tiafoe and his family pose for a photo.

Frances Tiafoe/Instagram

When Frances was 8, Alphina took him and his brother on a trip to Sierra Leone to help foster a connection to their family history. The trip had a profound effect on Frances, who described it as a “culture shock” that opened his eyes to the realities of life in a developing country.

The poverty he witnessed was a stark contrast to his life in the US, while at the same time giving him a deep appreciation for his parents’ sacrifice. Despite the challenges, Frances was amazed by the resilience and happiness of the people he met in Sierra Leone.

“That feeling I had in Sierra Leone, when I realized how happy the people are there, how selfless they are in their way of life,” the athlete wrote. “Now I understand that they may have been financially poor, but they were really rich. Do you feel me? Their lives were rich.”

In 2021, Frances shared on Instagram that he and his family were given the opportunity to meet with government leaders in Sierra Leone.

“Big moment for my family and me. To meet the President and First Lady of Sierra Leone,” he wrote. “An absolute honor and I can’t wait to visit. Thanks for the opportunity.”

Frances credits her parents for her success

Frances Tiafoe of the United States waits for a serve from Alexei Popyrin of Australia during the men’s singles fourth round match on day seven of the 2024 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1, 2024.

Jamie Squire/Getty

Frances doesn’t shy away from acknowledging her parents’ role in her rise to tennis stardom.

From his father’s early encouragement to his mother’s constant support, Frances credits them with giving him the tools and opportunities he needed to succeed.

“I’m blessed because I got a little bit [my father’s] drive … his will to do something,” Frances wrote.

He often expresses his gratitude publicly. Whether it’s through social media posts or interviews, he continues to respect his parents and their pivotal role in his career.

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Source: HIS Education