When it comes to spreading joy, there’s truly no specific time or place—especially for those with a heart like Frances Tiafoe. The offseason offers a precious opportunity for players to step away from the pressures of competition and give back to the community. Just days after tennis sensation Emma Raducanu was seen engaging in charity work in her hometown, American star Frances Tiafoe joined in the spirit of giving, bringing heartfelt smiles to local families this Thanksgiving. His girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield, couldn’t contain her pride, taking to social media to share her delight over his generous actions.
Despite wrapping up the season on a somewhat disappointing note, Tiafoe is determined to spread positivity, immersing himself in community work as a way to reset and focus on what truly matters. This time, it was through a turkey dinner giveaway organized by ‘The Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others’ (P.U.S.H.) Foundation, a Virginia-based nonprofit that works tirelessly to support vulnerable communities. With Thanksgiving being a special time to give thanks and help those in need, Tiafoe and Broomfield teamed up, serving hearty meals to locals, dressed proudly in the foundation’s branded clothing.
Ayan Broomfield captured several moments from the day, sharing them in a series of Instagram stories, filled with warm wishes and smiles as they served turkey together. In one story, Broomfield cheerfully wrote, “Yessss queen, happy thanksgiving!!!!!!” Tiafoe didn’t miss the chance to share her post with his own audience, responding simply with a row of fists in solidarity: “✊✊✊✊” — a sign of the love and positive energy they are giving back to their community.
While the 2024 season was quite a rollercoaster for Tiafoe, it’s clear that the American ace is maintaining his infectious energy. After a rough beginning at the Australian Open, Tiafoe managed to regain his form, culminating in a runner-up finish at the Cincinnati Masters and an impressive semifinal run at the US Open. However, the latter part of the year didn’t quite go as planned. Frustrations boiled over during a controversial moment in Shanghai, resulting in a costly $120,000 fine for what the chair umpire deemed unsportsmanlike behavior—a fine Tiafoe ultimately apologized for on social media.
But the desire to make a difference has always been part of who Tiafoe is. While some might see charity work as an act of goodwill, for Frances Tiafoe, it’s personal—a chance to reflect on his own upbringing and to pay it forward to others who might need it most. Tiafoe, once ranked as high as No. 10 in the world, knows all too well what it means to be without.
Growing up with his parents, Alphina Kamara and Constant (Frances Sr.), who fled Sierra Leone’s civil war in search of a better life in America, Tiafoe’s childhood was characterized by a scarcity of resources. His father worked as a janitor at a tennis training center, and it was on these courts that young Frances began to learn the game—often wearing mismatched hand-me-downs and using demo rackets. During a candid podcast chat with Nick Kyrgios, Tiafoe spoke about those challenging early days. “There were times where it got tough for me, my brother. We’re going to practice in hand-me-down stuff, demo rackets—whatever we could find,” he reminisced. “People laughed at us… ‘this guy thinks he’ll go pro with those shoes?’ But this is all I got.”
It’s stories like these that make Tiafoe’s actions so inspiring. Despite everything he’s achieved—an ATP titleholder, a Davis Cup finalist, and a consistent threat at Grand Slam tournaments—Frances hasn’t forgotten his roots. His commitment to helping those in need is a reflection of his empathy, and this Thanksgiving, that compassion was on full display. With no major tournaments lined up until early 2025, Tiafoe has a well-deserved break from the grueling tennis circuit—and it looks like he’s making every moment count by focusing on family, gratitude, and giving back.
As Frances Tiafoe winds down from the demands of his 2024 campaign, we can be sure that he’s got his sights set on the upcoming season, where he hopes to build upon his achievements and rise again—proving that with hard work and humility, anything is possible. But until then, the heartwarming sight of Tiafoe handing out turkey dinners to those in need will stay with fans—a reminder that even in the offseason, champions never stop giving.