Frances Tiafoe vows to inspire more young kids of color at the US Open this year – as he bids to become the first American to win a major since Andy Roddick in 2003

Frances Tiafoe spoke of his pride in inspiring young children of color as he prepares for another win at the US Open.

“I measure success by how many people you bless,” said the American who reached a first Grand Slam semifinal at the tournament last year.

Son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, the 25-year-old used to sleep at the tennis center where his father worked as a janitor.

Now ranked in the top 10 in the world, he is leading a promising era in American tennis. And ahead of his home Slam, Tiafoe talked about how he is being treated by young people across the country.

“It’s crazy – I go to some tournaments, even when I’m practicing at home, and these little kids come crying, ‘We’ve been waiting to meet you.’ I want to be like you. You are the reason I started the game…”, he explains.

Tiafoe is looking to improve on his inspiring run to the semi-finals of last year’s competition

“Those are things that mean a lot… seeing children live in me. They see that the game is cool to play thanks to me. It’s a cool place to be. It’s cool to feel like you’re inspiring people.’

He added, “It has a lot of weight. Thanks to me, many children now want to play the game. I feel that. It’s definitely a big responsibility, definitely a place where you want to be, a place where you want to keep growing and where people want to play the game.”

Tiafoe’s broader role was cemented last year, when he became the first black American man to reach a US Open semifinal since Arthur Ashe in 1972.

“How the country reacted when I went for that run – I think it helps because it’s not a normal sight you see here every day at the US Open,” said Tiafoe, who was beaten by eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz.

It is now twenty years since Andy Roddick triumphed here in New York. That remains the last time an American man has won a major.

“I don’t want to swear here. I knew you were going to say that,’ Tiafoe said with a laugh as he remembered the duck.

“I think the big three had a lot to say about that for 20 years. Obviously we still have one of them (Novak Djokovic) who looks like he’s 36, looks like he’s 16.’

For the first time since 2004, the US has five seeded players in the men’s draw: Tiafoe (10), Taylor Fritz (9), Tommy Paul (14), Chris Eubanks (28), Sebastian Korda (31). “American tennis is in a great place. It’s probably the best place in a long time,’ Tiafoe said.

Tiafoe was beaten by eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz last year, but he was a fan favourite

“I think it’s a matter of time, whether it happens here, whether it happens in time.

‘I hope one of us can do it. I hope when we do, it’s here at the Open. It’ll be cool.’

Last year’s success means Tiafoe arrives with greater expectations and confidence.

But at his most recent Slam – Wimbledon – the 25-year-old was beaten by Grigor Dimitrov, a defeat that left him “shocked” by his performance and experienced emotions he “never really felt”.

When asked what lessons he learned from that performance, Tiafoe said, “Sometimes people make the moment bigger than it needs to be. After all, it’s a tennis match. We’ve played a lot. Just go out and do what you do, enjoy the game. Hopefully you’ll get that chance to get into that position many more times,” he said.

‘It is not necessary to say: this is the time now, otherwise the world will end. I think that’s about what happened there. (Now) I have a totally different approach: I’m just going to be myself, have fun. Whatever the result, it is. In the end I can live with it anyway.’

Tiafoe especially enjoys these two weeks on home soil.

“It might be one of the best sporting events in the world,” he said. “You can’t beat the rowdy fans here. Everyone after 3pm is freaking drunk and just having an incredible time. The referee has no chance to control that atmosphere. Just let it go and let it do what it does!”