“It’s all outside tennis” – Frances Tiafoe on being inspired by the likes of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James

Frances Tiafoe recently discussed how he finds inspiration from basketball legends such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

Tiafoe is renowned for his passion for basketball and is a devoted fan of the NBA, often attending games. In addition, he took part in the 2023 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game held in Salt Lake City, Utah, showcasing his love for the sport.

During a recent appearance on Nick Kyrgios’ video podcast, Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios, Frances Tiafoe shared that he finds inspiration in basketball icons such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. He explained that he admires their ability to balance a carefree and joyful demeanor off the court with a fierce and competitive mindset on the court.

“It’s all outside tennis. You see (Le)Bron (James), you see Kobe, right? I mean, you know those guys like seeing them; you know, being cool with their teammates, whatever cool with their friends. But when it was out there, like, you know, me and you were so tight, we joked around right before we got out there, then it’s on,”Tiafoe said (at 6:43).

Tiafoe attributed his calmness and focus while playing tennis to these legends’ mentorship.

“Same with those guys, especially with the best players in the world. Everyone stepped in, and I wanted to show the world what I could do. Then I just get super excited, and those guys definitely help with it,” he added.

Tiafoe mentioned that, along with Bryant and James, he also admires players such as Russell Westbrook, Dennis Rodman, and John Wall. He further expressed his appreciation for individuals who remain true to themselves, regardless of their surroundings.

“I mean, I’m going to go to guys like Russell Westbrook and Dennis Rodman back in the day. I’m a huge fan of his. Even my favorite player of all time, John Wall, I thought he did it with such swagger, and he didn’t care. He was him. But I love guys who do anything at eye level, and they’re just them; they’re not changing for the environment,” Frances Tiafoe said (at 13:45).

Frances Tiafoe’s Childhood Struggles: Overcoming Challenges with Hand-Me-Downs

During the previously mentioned podcast, Frances Tiafoe discussed the obstacles he and his twin brother, Franklin, encountered while pursuing their dream of becoming professional tennis players.

Tiafoe’s parents, Constant and Alphina Kamara, came to the United States as immigrants to flee a civil war in their native country. Due to financial struggles, the family faced challenges in pursuing their sons’ tennis dreams.

Tiafoe shared that in their younger years, he and Franklin took part in tennis tournaments with subpar gear, utilizing demo rackets and sporting hand-me-down clothes. This often caused them to be the center of attention, as others found it amusing.

“There’s days where it got tough for me, my brother. We’re going to practice, and we’re wearing hand-me-down stuff or demo rackets, whatever you can play with. People are laughing at us, saying, ‘This guy thinks he can be a pro, or this guy is playing with holes in his shoes, whose shoes are those or Pikachu shirts and khaki shorts, and I’m playing tournaments, and they’re like, ‘That’s not even tournament equipment’ and I’m like, ‘This is all I got,’” he said (at 4:06).

In a display of appreciation for his parents’ dedication and sacrifices, Frances Tiafoe shared that he had made a commitment to turn professional and support his entire family.

“Anything that came my way, I was very appreciative. So yeah, I mean, then I’m just sitting there sleeping on the massage table with my dad and I’m like, ‘I’m going to be a pro; I’m going to take care of everybody,’” Frances Tiafoe said.