Tiafoe Returning to River Oaks in 2026
HOUSTON (Dec. 4, 2025) – Frances Tiafoe will look to play on Final Sunday for the fourth consecutive year when he returns to River Oaks Country Club for the 2026 Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship.
The 2023 US Clay champion, Tiafoe has finished as runner-up in each of the past two editions of the tournament.
The ATP Tour’s only clay court tournament in North America will be held in Houston March 28 – April 5.
“Frances has become such a fan favorite here over his many years playing at River Oaks,” said Tournament Director Bronwyn Greer. “I think a lot of us feel like we have grown up with him since he came here as a teenager 10 years ago. Many of our fans have enjoyed following his career over the past decade, but the highlight is definitely when he’s playing US Clay, and we’re delighted he’s committed to making that an annual event.”
Only the third player in the Open Era to reach three consecutive US Clay finals (also Andy Roddick, 2021-05, and Andres Gomez, 1983-86), Tiafoe boasts a 13-6 record at the event. Over the last three seasons, he is 10-2 at River Oaks. The only place he has won more matches during that time is the US Open, where he’s gone 11-3 with a pair of quarterfinals.
In his career, Tiafoe has reached 10 finals on the ATP Tour, winning three titles. A two-time US Open semifinalist, he has also reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and, in 2025, reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros for the first time. He has been ranked as high as No. 10 on the ATP.
Born in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., Tiafoe took up the sport while accompanying his father to his work at a prominent junior tennis training facility.
Tiafoe is the second past champion in next year’s field, joining the previously announced commitment from 2024 winner Ben Shelton. Shelton rose to a career-best No. 5 this season and qualified for the ATP Finals for the first time. A former NCAA champion at the University of Florida, Shelton owns three career ATP titles.
Additional players are expected to be announced prior to the full field being released in early March.
US Clay will begin with qualifying on March 28 and 29, which will include matches in Stadium Court for the first time. Main draw action begins March 30, and continues until the singles and doubles finals are held on Sunday, April 5.
