Frances Tiafoe is set to make his return to the River Oaks Country Club in Houston for the 2026 Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, where he aims to reach the final for the fourth consecutive year. Tiafoe, who became the US Clay champion in 2023, has showcased impressive performances in this unique tournament, finishing as the runner-up in the last two editions.
The 2026 tournament will take place from March 28 to April 5, marking the only clay court event on the ATP Tour held in North America. Tournament Director Bronwyn Greer expressed her excitement about Tiafoe’s participation, noting his long-standing connection with the venue and its fans. “We’ve watched him grow since his teenage years. The highlight for many is seeing him compete at US Clay, and we’re thrilled he continues to make this event a priority,” Greer stated.
Tiafoe’s impressive track record in the tournament distinguishes him as one of the all-time greats in this competition. He joins exclusive company as one of only three players in the Open Era to reach three consecutive finals, alongside Andy Roddick and Andres Gomez. Tiafoe currently boasts a 13-6 record at River Oaks, with an impressive 10-2 record in the last three seasons. Remarkably, his most successful venue during this timeframe has been the US Open, where he achieved an 11-3 record including two quarterfinals.
Throughout his career, Tiafoe has participated in ten ATP finals, securing three titles. He has also made waves at the Grand Slams, notably reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, and in 2025, he celebrated a breakthrough moment by reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros for the first time. His highest ATP ranking to date is an impressive No. 10.
Tiafoe’s journey in tennis began in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., where he picked up the sport while accompanying his father to a prominent junior training facility.
Joining Tiafoe in the upcoming tournament is last year’s champion, Ben Shelton. The rising star had a career-best season, achieving the No. 5 ranking and qualifying for the ATP Finals for the first time. With three ATP titles to his name, Shelton’s presence adds to the excitement as more players will be announced leading up to the full field release in early March.
The event will kick off with qualifying matches on March 28 and 29, featuring competitive action on Stadium Court for the first time. Main draw matches are set to commence on March 30, continuing through to the singles and doubles finals on April 5. Fans of tennis can expect another thrilling showdown on the clay in Houston.
