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Tiafoe and Shelton Make Black Tennis History at US Open
Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton are American tennis players who will play each other in the US Open semifinals.
This is special because it is the first time two Black American men have met in a Grand Slam semifinal during the Open era.
The winner will reach a major final, something no Black American man has done since MaliVai Washington in 1996.
Only four Black men from any country have previously reached a Grand Slam singles final.
Tiafoe’s parents came from Sierra Leone and helped him begin playing tennis while working at a tennis center.
Shelton grew up in a tennis family but first focused on becoming a quarterback.
Both players have spoken about race and representation in tennis.
Their match gives young people an important example of Black success in the sport.
Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton will play the first Grand Slam singles semifinal of the Open era featuring two Black American men.
The winner will become the first Black American man to reach a major final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996.
Only four Black men—Arthur Ashe, Yannick Noah, MaliVai Washington and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga—have previously reached a Grand Slam singles final.
Tiafoe and Shelton reached the US Open semifinals after demanding matches against Alex Michelsen and Carlos Alcaraz.
Their matchup highlights the contrasting family and tennis journeys that brought both players to the sport’s elite level.
- Who
- American tennis players Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton.
- What
- They will contest an all-Black American men’s singles semifinal at the US Open.
- Where
- The US Open in New York, at Flushing Meadows.
- When
- Friday, during the 2026 US Open.
- Why
- The match is historically significant because it is the first Open-era Grand Slam semifinal between two Black American men, and the winner will reach a major final.
Key facts
- Historic milestone
- The first Open-era Grand Slam singles semifinal featuring two Black American men.
- Previous Black American finalist
- MaliVai Washington reached the Wimbledon final in 1996.
- Last Black American finalist at Flushing Meadows
- Arthur Ashe reached the US Open final in 1972.
- Tiafoe’s semifinal path
- He defeated Alex Michelsen in a match lasting four hours and 39 minutes.
- Shelton’s semifinal path
- He defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a highly regarded match.
- Earlier meeting
- Their 2023 US Open quarterfinal was the first all-Black American men’s quarterfinal at a major.
- Tiafoe’s family background
- His parents fled Sierra Leone during the civil war and immigrated to the United States.
Quotes
Frances Tiafoe
American professional tennis player and US Open semifinalist
“On the men’s side, I never thought I would see, be able to have the chance to see, like an all-Black semi-final between the guys in my lifetime, honestly. Even growing up, just looking at who was playing, I just never thought that that would be able to happen. And to have me in the semis, I think it’s really cool.”
indianexpress.com
“You’ve been such an inspiration to kids, people of colour in our sport. You’ve been that guy to always put on for us and always be selfless, thinking about others, kids younger than you. So thanks for everything that you do for our sport and people who look like you and me.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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