Espresso shots and tourist stops, Tiafoe living large at Cagliari Challenger

Frances Tiafoe is known for his superb shotmaking ability on the court but on Wednesday, the American tried his hand at another craft: making espresso.

The 26-year-old is embracing the warm Italian hospitality at the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Cagliari, where Tiafoe visited the historical Bastion Saint Remy and learned the art of making espresso from a local barista.

^{Frances Tiafoe makes an espresso in Italy. Credit: Mike Lawrence/ATP Tour}

The top seed leads a strong field at the Sardegna Open, where home favourites Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego are among the draw as is Tiafoe’s countryman and close friend Christopher Eubanks.

“It’s a Challenger but it doesn’t feel like a Challenger. It’s pretty funny. Some of those guys have made great runs at Slams, been Top 30 in the world,” Tiafoe told ATPTour.com. “Musetti is playing. I practised with Eubanks. I haven’t played a Challenger in a really long time. I’m just trying to get some matches in.”

^{Frances Tiafoe receives instructions from a barista in Cagliari, Italy. Credit: Mike Lawrence/ATP Tour}

During Tiafoe’s time exploring Cagliari, located in the southern tip of the Italian island Sardinia, the No. 21 in the PIF ATP Rankings enjoyed walking the culturally-rich streets of the city's picturesque Old Square, which boasts a vibrant shopping district and restaurant scene.

Tiafoe posed for photos under the shadows of the ancient city’s most important monument, Bastion Saint Remy, a rampart built between 1896 and 1902 that was later restored after being struck by World War II bombings.

^{Frances Tiafoe at the Bastion Saint Remy. Credit: Mike Lawrence/ATP Tour}

Tiafoe received a wild card at the ATP Challenger 175 event, a category of tournaments held during the second week of select ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, after a second-round loss to Pedro Cachin in Madrid. The three-time tour-level titlist, who was a finalist in Houston last month, is looking to find his best form on the European clay.

“Clay is not something that I can’t play on. I’ve had great runs in Europe, made two finals in Estoril. I think I can play on clay,” Tiafoe said. “I plan to have a good week here, continue to build here and continue to try and build to where I’m trying to get to, and that’s back in the Top 10.”

When in Cagliari 🇮🇹😄#ATPChallenger | @FTiafoe | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/AE8qXG2Mdk

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 1, 2024