Frances Tiafoe found himself downing shots with superstar singer Taylor Swift after being given an irrefusable offer by Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.
With Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs walking the red carpet, Frances Tiafoe’s network has grown significantly since his quick ascent to fame in men’s singles tennis. Tiafoe was invited to join the Chiefs offensive talents, Kelce, 35, and Mahomes, 29 for a night out in Kansas City.
On ‘The Pivot’ podcast, 26-year-old Tiafoe, who is preparing for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam, disclosed that his relationship with Kelce and Mahomes prompted him to do shots with Taylor Swift, the pop sensation. Swift is Kelce’s girlfriend; after coming public in September 2023, the two became the NFL’s power couple.
“I’ve said it in real-time, whoever I’m with, like, ‘Yo, I’m out here taking shots with Taylor Swift,’ Tiafoe said on the podcast. “Granted, I gotta keep it a buck, we’re here on ‘The Pivot’ — I’m a Beyonce guy. But at the moment I’m like, man, like, this is crazy, she’s the biggest star out here.
“Then Mahomes and Travis, they were like, ‘Yo, we gotta have you in [Kansas City]. 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 want to meet me and hang out and actually do stuff, those are the things, it’s why you do what you do.”
Mahomes, Swift, Kelce, and his wife Brittany all have a strong passion for tennis. They were all present for the U.S. Open final between Italian Jannik Sinner and American Taylor Fritz last year. All prospects of a U.S. tennis star winning the men’s singles title were dashed when Fritz, who defeated Tiafoe in the semifinals, fell to Sinner in straight sets.
Tiafoe has yet to advance to a Grand Slam final or won a Grand Slam. However, he has a great chance to start 2025 off well with a victory over Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the first round down under.
At the Australian Open, there will be a discernible change, though. Tiafoe’s shoes will be K-Swiss, but he will wear Nike apparel.
The World No. 17 may make another complete transition this year after beginning his career with Adidas before joining Nike in May 2016.
Amy Cooper
Palmer McAllister
