Frances Tiafoe, the 28-year-old American tennis star, is aiming for a deep run at Wimbledon 2026, supported by his long-term girlfriend Ayan Broomfield, a former tennis player who once served as Venus Williams' body double in the Oscar-nominated film King Richard.
Ayan Broomfield's Tennis Career and Hollywood Role
Broomfield, a Canadian a few months older than Tiafoe, won doubles titles on the ITF tour and played NCAA tennis for the UCLA Bruins. She later transitioned into acting, landing a role as the body double for Saniyya Sidney, who portrayed Venus Williams in King Richard. The film earned six Oscar nominations, with Will Smith winning Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams.
“I had so much fun shooting the tennis scenes as Venus Williams for the new movie King Richard,” Broomfield wrote on Instagram at the time. She was not the only tennis player in the film; Marcela Zacarias, a Mexican Fed Cup player, was cast as Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. “We've been friends since we were young,” Zacarias told Marca in 2022. “Before serving each point, we analysed the shots we had taken. We clicked really well and that helped a lot.”
Tiafoe's Wimbledon 2026 Campaign
Tiafoe, seeded 17th at Wimbledon, has advanced to the third round after a four-set win over Terence Altmane and a four-set victory over British hopeful Jan Choinski. He now faces controversial Kazakh pro Alexander Bublik. If Tiafoe wins, he will match his best Wimbledon run, reaching the fourth round in 2022 before losing to David Goffin.
Earlier this year, Tiafoe won his first ATP 500 title at Halle, beating compatriot Taylor Fritz in the final. Fritz, seeded sixth at Wimbledon, could face Tiafoe again in the third round if both win their matches. Fritz advanced after an injury to Jack Draper and faces Lorenzo Sonego, who holds a 3-1 career record against Tiafoe.
Support from Partner
Tiafoe has been cheered on by Broomfield throughout his career, with their relationship made public in 2018. She joined him in celebrating his Halle title victory. Broomfield's background in tennis and her Hollywood connection add a unique dimension to Tiafoe's support system as he competes on the grass courts of SW19.
