“Remember my little sis name she finna be a problem 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿,” ATP pro Frances Tiafoe wrote on X, nearly six years ago, admiring a rising WTA talent and compatriot Hailey Baptiste. While they may not have a blood relation, their connection runs deeper. They have known each other since childhood while growing up in Washington, D.C. The bond grew strong thanks to both of them training at the Junior Tennis Champions Center. Over the years, it’s only gotten better with both Americans showing moving gestures toward each other on various occasions. Baptiste considers Tiafoe a huge inspiration. And Tiafoe also takes great pride in her accomplishments. He was one of the first ones to heap praise on Baptiste for her heroics at the recently concluded Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, where she helped Team USA to emerge victorious!

The BJK Cup qualifying phase took place last week, where America sealed its spot in the main event. The tournament is set to take place from September 16-21 in Shenzhen, China. After dominating Denmark on Saturday, young American pros Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera (in their BJK debut) powered their country to an invincible lead against Slovakia. In the first tie, under the singles category, Baptiste managed to beat Slovakia’s Renata Jamrichova with a score line of 6-3, 6-4, giving the USA a 1-0 lead.

Pera then extended the momentum, winning the next singles match and doubling the USA’s lead. She beat Rebecca Sramkova with a score line of 7-6(2), 7-5 to get Team USA 2-1 ahead despite their loss in the doubles, where Americans Desirae Krawczyk and Asia Muhammad lost against the pair of Tereza Mihalikova and Mia Pohankova. Undoubtedly, it was a huge moment as Team USA made it to the Finals of the Billie Jean King Cup for the 61st time. The USA is the most successful team in the history of the comp, having won the title 18 times and ending as runner-ups on 12 occasions.

It didn’t take long for Frances Tiafoe to learn about the big news. Taking to IG, he shared a brief clip where his ‘Lil Sis’ Baptiste could be seen playing against Jamrichova. Big Foe was in awe of one Baptiste’s shots as she hit a scintillating forehand winner to earn a crucial point. Showering praise on her, the ATP pro wrote, “Wonder where you learned this from 🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️👀👀 good work @haileybaptiste”

But it’s not the first time Tiafoe has shown such an admirable gesture for Baptiste. Last month, during the Miami Open, too, he did something similar. In Miami, Baptiste started her singles campaign on a high as she defeated Olga Danilovic with a score line of 6-3, 6-7,6-1 in R128. She then ousted the new-Aussie Daria Kasatkina as well. Despite being a wildcard, Baptiste dominated Kasatkina in a three-setter with a score line of 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Tiafoe, who was himself participating in the Miami Open, watched the entire match of Baptiste against Kasatkina. Amazed by his Little Sister’s performance, he put up a story on IG and wrote, “Lil sis hit the big naaasssttyyy 😂😂 big dub proud of you @haileybaptiste.” But it’s not just Tiafoe commending Baptiste. Even Baptiste has, time and again, expressed how Big Foe keeps motivating her to do better.

Frances Tiafoe is a “huge inspiration” for Hailey Baptiste

Last season, Frances Tiafoe made an impressive run at the US Open. He made it to the semis before losing to compatriot Taylor Fritz. While his campaign ended before the summit clash, many of his friends were still proud of him, including Baptiste. She sent him a message saying, “Tough one, good week.”

And guess what was Tiafoe’s response? “He didn’t say anything about the match. He just said, ‘You can do it too.’” Baptiste said in an interaction with the WTA Insider. “He’s always a huge inspiration to me and he’s like a brother to me. We went to school together when I was in fourth grade. I’d be with him all day and hang out with him every weekend, and we’re still close to this day. Same with his brother and his parents; they’re basically my family.”

Tiafoe’s growth boosts Baptiste’s confidence as well, as she backs her own potential and skills even more. “To see that, of course, it’s possible because I’ve grown up with him and he’s right there.” After powering Team USA to the BJK Cup main event, it will be intriguing to see how she fares in the Finals. Are you backing Baptiste to carry her form moving ahead in the season? Let us know in the comments below.