Frances Tiafoe is keeping things simple as the stakes rise at the 2026 Miami Open. With a quarterfinal clash against second seed Jannik Sinner looming, the American made it clear that his off-day routine will be all about comfort, familiarity, and a bit of basketball on the side.
Rather than staying within the tournament bubble, Tiafoe revealed his plan to head home to Boca Raton, hit at tennis legend Chris Evert’s academy, and recharge both physically and mentally before one of his biggest matches of the week.
A Closer Look at Frances Tiafoe’s Road to the 2026 Miami Open Quarterfinals
The 19th seed is enjoying a strong run in what marks his ninth appearance at the Miami Open. After receiving a first-round bye, Tiafoe opened his campaign with a 7-6(1), 6-1 win over Arthur Cazaux. He followed it up with a hard-fought victory against defending champion Jakub Menšík, edging a dramatic contest 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(11).
Tiafoe then secured his place in the quarterfinals with a three-set win over Terence Atmane, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. The result sends him into the Miami quarterfinals for just the second time in his career, setting up a high-profile meeting with Sinner.
What Is Tiafoe’s Plan for His Day Off Before Facing Jannik Sinner?
Speaking to host Prakash Amritraj on Tennis Channel, Tiafoe offered a relaxed look into how he plans to spend his day off. “Pumped about that,” he said with a laugh. “Real pumped about that day off.”
He explained that while he will still practice, it will not be at the tournament site. “I’ll definitely hit some balls, but I won’t come down here. Obviously, I live in Boca Raton, so I’ll go hit at Evert Academy, shout out Chris Evert.”
Convenience plays a big role in his routine. “I live three minutes away from there, so I’ll be at the crib all day. You know, March Madness, I think the games are back on Thursday, but I’ll be at the crib just totally chilling and hanging out. I’ll get my chef to come through and eat well.”
The Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida, was co-founded in 1996 by 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Evert and her brother John. It is a premier training facility for junior and professional players, featuring 23 courts, and has produced several high-profile champions, including Andy Roddick and Madison Keys.
Looking ahead, Tiafoe will meet Sinner for the sixth time on the ATP Tour, with the Italian holding a 4-1 lead in their head-to-head record. The winner of this match will face either the 18th seed, Francisco Cerundolo, or the third seed, Alexander Zverev, in the semifinals.
