Winner of the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Prize at only 22 years old, Frances Tiafoe, particularly moved, felt obliged to pay homage to one of her idols. Winner of three Grand Slam tournaments, Arthur Ashe was also known and recognized for his very committed positions. Between the fight against AIDS, the defense of refugees and spokesperson for the black cause, Ashe has left his mark on several generations, including Frances Tiafoe who decided to make him a man in a letter that is both moving and committed.
Dear Arthur,
I haven’t grown much. My parents are both immigrants from Sierra Leone. My father was a janitor at a tennis facility in Maryland, and I was fortunate enough to play the sport from a young age, even though I didn’t have the money or the opportunities that many other children did. . None of this stopped me from dreaming big. I pushed myself to the limit every day with a big smile on my face. Here I am, 22 years old, and I just found out that I won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award. This little kid with big dreams now has his name associated with yours. This is insane.
But I know it’s not just a reward. It is a huge honor and a huge responsibility. I’m not just that smiling kid anymore. I know I have to carry the torch and make a difference in the world. This year my girlfriend and I made a video called “Racquets Down, Hands Up” in an attempt to raise awareness about the unjust deaths of African Americans in the United States. We were able to involve many black tennis players, from Serena Williams and Coco Gauff to Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
I wanted people to know that everyone matters. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your skin color is. Everyone has the opportunity to be someone special. I was one of those kids who had little chance of getting that far. Winning this award is just a reminder that now that I’m here, I must pay it and help the next generation.
I didn’t have the chance to be there when you were doing your thing, but I know you were so much taller than tennis. Honestly, you could have been the president! Something you said once still sticks with me: “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life “. I mean damn, it’s deep. Nothing you did was about you. You were just trying to be a person first and then an athlete. It was always about helping others. It is truly inspiring.
One of the craziest things about you is that everyone knows about all the work you do to make the world a better place. But you won the Grand Slam, my brother! I wish I could choose your brain to find out how you managed to be successful as you were on the court while being a great humanitarian. I know balancing the two isn’t easy, especially with my eyes on you. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that you can’t try to meet other people’s expectations. You just have to strive to be the best version of yourself and be your own biggest critic. I think it helps me feel comfortable in my own skin. I know I’m doing my best on and off the pitch.
In the grand scheme of things, I know there is a clock on my career. I can’t play at the top level forever, but I will live for many, many years after I hang up my rackets. Sounds like you’re not here anymore and I couldn’t meet you, but be easy man. You always have an impact. This is why I know that it is also important to have goals outside of sport. We are not just athletes. We are human beings. There is more besides tennis. I truly believe that over the past two years I have found my purpose. I realized that I had the chance to start my family financially. I started to think: I know I’m ready and my family is fine. But isn’t there more to life than that? What about those kids who are where I was not so long ago? Ten years ago, I thought it would be amazing to see the stadium they named after you at the US Open. Even walking into the Arthur Ashe stadium would have been amazing for me back then, forgetting to play there and compete at the highest level. I remember having some water in 2014 when I got to play at Madison Square Garden.
I was a 16-year-old kid from College Park, Maryland, the son of two immigrant parents who set up the world’s most famous arena for Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Remember how crazy it was when you played John McEnroe there? It’s still crazy. Two years ago I made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and celebrated LeBron James. The guy is one of the best basketball players ever and he commented on my Instagram. I was like, “Wait, what? Isn’t that crazy? He’s a childhood hero and he knows who I am! These things inspire me. Little kids came to me and said they wanted to be like Frances Tiafoe. It amazes me every time.
But that’s why it’s not just about creating my family for life. What about these children? I want to help them write their stories right the first time. If there are kids who don’t think they can make their dreams come true, I want to change that. I truly believe that success is in everyone. I want to paint a picture for them that they didn’t know was possible. I want to help them make it happen. You have shown so many of us the way, and now I want to give it. I want to help these kids understand that they have to find their passion, go completely crazy and obsessed with it.
I dream every day. Most importantly, I want them to be good people first. You have always treated everyone well and with respect. I want to continue to pass this on through the generations. If years later people say Frances Tiafoe was a hell of a person first and an athlete then, I’ll be really happy.
Obviously, I want people to remember me as a great tennis player too. I don’t want to be one of those guys who was just a good tennis player and got forgotten. I want to have the whole package, on and off the court. I was fortunate to have people like you prove that it is possible. I know I have to keep working every day. I was lucky enough to earn my living. Now it’s time to make a living. You have done more than your part for the world. I promise I will always do mine.
Posted on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 5:25 PM
