American tennis star Frances Tiafoe recently opened up about his surreal experience hanging out with NFL power couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, as well as spending time with Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Kelce in their home city.
During an appearance on The Pivot podcast with former NFL stars Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder, Tiafoe shared his awe at taking shots with Swift, who he described as “the biggest star out here.”
“I’ve said it in real time, whoever I’m with, like, ‘Yo, I’m out here taking shots with Taylor Swift,’” Tiafoe, 26, recalled. “Granted, I gotta keep it a buck, we’re here on The Pivot — I’m a Beyoncé guy. But in the moment, I was like, man, this is crazy. She’s the biggest star out here.”
Tiafoe’s time with Swift was just one of the highlights. The tennis star also shared that Kelce and Mahomes extended a warm invitation for him to visit Kansas City.
“Then Mahomes and Travis were like, ‘Yo, we gotta have you in [Kansas City],’” Tiafoe said. “Them saying that is wild to me, and then they rolled out the red carpet for me. It’s crazy because playing tennis and being able to reach that many people, and people wanting to meet me and hang out—it’s why you do what you do.”
While Tiafoe didn’t specify when or where these interactions took place, he did reveal that his social circle now includes not only Swift and Kelce but also tennis legend John McEnroe and New York Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.
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A Regular Guy at Heart
Despite rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, Tiafoe emphasized his grounded perspective.
“I’m just a regular dude from Maryland,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of interests outside just hitting a tennis ball, and you can feel that. I am who I am in every room. I’m not trying to put on for nobody else.”
Tiafoe, who became a household name after defeating Rafael Nadal at the 2022 U.S. Open, admitted it took time to adjust to his rising fame.
“It’s amazing how it can just change like that,” he said. “All of a sudden everybody wants to come and watch, people are hitting me up, I’m going to events. It took me a while to take that because I never really saw myself like that. But now I’ve kind of embraced it, and it’s helped me for sure.”
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at the US Open
Swift and Kelce, who have been one of the most talked-about celebrity couples, were seen publicly supporting tennis during the 2024 US Open in New York City. Along with Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, the duo attended the men’s singles final between American Taylor Fritz and Italian Jannik Sinner.
Although Tiafoe was eliminated a day earlier after a five-set loss to Fritz, his presence in the tournament continued to solidify his reputation as one of the most exciting players in the sport. Currently ranked No. 17 in the ATP rankings, Tiafoe reached the top 10 in 2023, marking a milestone in his burgeoning career.
Reflecting on His Journey
Tiafoe acknowledged the significance of his journey from a humble background to the global stage. The son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, Tiafoe grew up playing tennis at a local facility where his father worked as a custodian. His story of perseverance and dedication has inspired fans around the world.
“I am who I am because of where I come from,” he said on the podcast. “Tennis is what I do, but it’s not the only thing that defines me. I want people to know that.”
As Tiafoe continues to balance his rising fame with his passion for the sport, moments like these—sharing shots with Taylor Swift and forging connections with fellow athletes—serve as reminders of how far he’s come. And for Tiafoe, it’s all part of the journey.
