Frances Tiafoe Says He Loves the 'Rowdy Atmosphere' of the US Open: 'Brings Out the Best in Me' (Exclusive)

The US Open brings out the “best” in tennis star Frances Tiafoe.

“The lights are so bright in New York and I love it,” Tiafoe, 26, tells PEOPLE during an interview about his new global ambassadorship with Evian, the official line of the US Open for more than three decades.

Ahead of his match against American Aleksandar Kovacevic on Monday, August 26, Tiafoe recalls being inspired by the former tennis greats competing in New York’s biggest tennis tournament.

“As a child, I watched Serena and Venus [Williams] lifting trophies here, I’ve always wanted to just play on this court and do something special, so I think it always brings out the best in me,” Tiafoe said.

Serena (42) has six US Open victories, and her sister Venus (44) has won two.

The Evian ambassador says he likes to play “in a raucous atmosphere,” and the US Open is especially exciting because “everyone is super fired up and wants to see an American get the job done.”

Frances Tiafoe at US Open 2023.

Al Bello/Getty

Frances Tiafoe wears 20 spare shirts to every game in case she gets too sweaty

“We don’t get to play that much in America and New York is one of the best cities in the world for that. So I don’t take it for granted,” adds Tiafoe.

Tiafoe says his hometown of Washington, DC helped him learn how to handle the pressure of big city tournaments. “Growing up in DC, I definitely love a good city vibe,” he says. “I feel comfortable. I could make myself at home.”

“New York is a lot faster than D.C., but it’s just a great atmosphere. I have a lot of close friends. I mean, people can come and watch, because D.C. is right around the corner, so it’s all just a really good time, and the people are really they like to come out and watch me.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date with the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Competing under the bright lights and high temperatures of a New York summer, Tiafoe — who calls hydration “a lifestyle in itself” — feels his partnership with Evian is flowing seamlessly.

Frances Tiafoe for Evian.

Julian Finney/Getty for evian

“Hydration is so key, especially in our sport and the way I like to approach the game,” says Tiafoe.

But before he competed on the biggest stages, he wasn’t always on top of his hydration. “I was terrible! I was definitely terrible, they definitely had to tell me to drink water,” Tiafoe admits.

Who is Frances Tiafoe’s girlfriend? All about Ayan Broomfield

He adds: ‘I didn’t realize it for what it was until I was competing at the highest level and realized that even when you don’t have time and you’re not playing, you feel much better hydrated. I sleep better, process information better. You just feel a lot sharper when you’re hydrated and I think that plays a role in your whole life and how you approach life. I think it’s much bigger than just drinking water. I think you’re getting sharper.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education