Frances Tiafoe is set to make a much-anticipated return to the 2026 Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, scheduled to take place at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston from March 28 to April 5. This marks Tiafoe’s fourth consecutive appearance in the tournament, where he has previously established himself as a crowd favorite and a formidable competitor.
Having claimed the title in 2023, Tiafoe has proven to be a consistent force on the clay courts, finishing as runner-up in both the 2024 and 2025 editions. “Frances has become such a fan favorite here over his many years playing at River Oaks,” said Tournament Director Bronwyn Greer. “Many of our fans have grown up following his career since he came here as a teenager 10 years ago. We’re thrilled he committed to making this an annual event.”
Tiafoe’s impressive record at the U.S. Clay event includes a 13-6 overall performance, with a remarkable 10-2 tally over the past three years. Only two players in the Open Era have reached three consecutive finals: Tiafoe joins the ranks of Andy Roddick and Andres Gomez in this exclusive club. This success on clay is part of a broader impressive trajectory; Tiafoe has reached a total of 10 finals on the ATP Tour and boasts three titles. His career-best ATP ranking peaked at No. 10.
Born in the Maryland area, Tiafoe’s journey into tennis began as a young boy, accompanying his father to a junior training facility, where he developed the skills that would eventually see him rise through the ranks. In addition to his clay court success, Tiafoe is a two-time U.S. Open semifinalist and has reached the quarterfinals at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
Joining Tiafoe in Houston will be fellow American Ben Shelton, who won the tournament in 2024 and is coming off a stellar season that saw him reach a career-high ranking of No. 5 and qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time. Shelton, a former NCAA champion from the University of Florida, has already secured three ATP titles in his young career.
With qualifying matches set for March 28 and 29, this year’s event will feature matches on Stadium Court for the first time, promising an exciting atmosphere for fans. The main draw commences on March 30, culminating in the finals for both singles and doubles on April 5. As the tournament approaches, further player announcements are anticipated, promising an electric competition in Houston.
