Frances Tiafoe, one of the top ten tennis players in the world, owes much of his success to his parents Alphina and Frances Sr. Tiafoe.

The child of immigrants from Sierra Leone, Frances grew up with his twin brother Franklin 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 has often thanked his mother and father for their unwavering support and sacrifices that enabled him to pursue his dreams.

“I realize now how hard he worked and how much he sacrificed to enable my brother and me to pursue our dreams and live the life he and my mother wanted for us – the one 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 have played an important role in his journey on the tennis court. Now, as he battles for a semifinal spot at the 2024 US Open, they’re still cheering him on from the stands.

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

They come from Sierra Leone

Alphina and Frances Sr.’s journey to the United States began in the 1990s, when Sierra Leone was embroiled in a brutal civil war that left nearly thousands dead and millions displaced.

Ultimately, Alphina and Frances Sr. decided to immigrate to the United States in 1996. The experiences they gained from the move and their resilience in a new country profoundly shaped their outlook on life and passed on lessons to their sons.

Frances has spoken about how visiting Sierra Leone as a child opened his eyes to the harsh realities of life outside the United States and made him appreciate the strength of his parents and the opportunities they provided for him and his brother.

“There is nothing that can really prepare you for the culture shock you experience when you travel to a country like this,” the athlete wrote in his essay.

Frances’ father was a maintenance manager at a tennis center

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

Frances Sr.’s role at JTCC went beyond maintaining the facility – he also played a crucial role in getting his sons exposed to the sport at an early age. Frances and Franklin often accompanied him to work and spent entire days at the tennis center.

“When my mother worked the night shift, my brother Franklin and I stayed with my father,” Frances recalled in his essay. “He slept on the massage table so Franklin and I could have the couches.”

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

In July 2023, Frances announced the creation of a $250,000 fund to support tennis education and access in 270 communities across the country. His parents were by 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 was given a chance – who really shouldn’t have had one – and look what I was able to do with it.”

Alphina managed to juggle work and raising Frances

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

“Whenever we coughed, Mama made sure we were OK,” Frances wrote, looking back on his childhood.

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

“When I asked her not to go to work, she didn’t listen to me,” Frances wrote of this unprecedented time. “Because she loves working. Because she and her father don’t really know what a break means. Because they have your back.”

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

“This ‘zone’ that I have to get into when I’m a set behind or something like that? My mom has that when things are 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’ mother took him to Sierra Leone to connect him with his roots

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

The poverty he experienced was in stark contrast to his life in the United States, but it also gave him a deep appreciation for his parents’ sacrifices. Despite the challenges, Frances was impressed by the resilience and cheerfulness of the people he met in Sierra Leone.

“That feeling I had in Sierra Leone when I realized how happy the people there were and how selfless their lifestyle was,” wrote the athlete. “I understand now that although they were financially poor, they were really rich. Do you understand me? They had a rich life.”

In 2021, Frances shared on Instagram that he and his family had the opportunity to meet government officials in Sierra Leone.

“A big moment for my family and I. Meeting the President and First Lady of Sierra Leone,” he wrote. “An absolute honor and I can’t wait to visit them. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Frances owes his success to his parents

Frances is not afraid to acknowledge his parents’ role in his rise to tennis stardom.

Frances believes he was given the tools and opportunities he needed to succeed, from early encouragement from his father to constant support from his mother.

“I am blessed to have inherited some of (my father’s) drive…his will to achieve,” Frances wrote.

He often expresses his gratitude publicly. Whether through social media mentions or interviews, he continues to acknowledge his parents and their crucial contribution to his career.