American tennis player Zachary Svajda has combined athletic success with social media stardom during his unexpected French Open performance, capturing fans’ attention with a popular TikTok video showing him donning a beret while holding a large croissant.
The unseeded 23-year-old athlete can anticipate growing his online fanbase following his Saturday victory at Roland Garros, where he defeated Argentine 25th seed Francisco Cerundolo with a score of 6-3 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3 in the third round.
“I love my TikTok. It’s so much fun,” Svajda shared with media members regarding the video he published one day prior to his match on Court 14.
“I don’t put any pressure on myself. With TikTok, I feel like I can just post whatever I want. When I saw I had made the third round I was like, ‘I have this picture of me with my big croissant that I got a few days ago’.”
“I’m like, ‘you know, I’m going to post it and say, I can’t believe I’m in third round’. Yeah, that one is going viral. It’s so funny. I love my TikTok.”
Having limited Grand Slam tournament experience and never advancing beyond the second round despite consistently competing at his home U.S. Open tournament since 2019, Svajda now has an excellent chance to advance further in the competition.
The surprising departures of world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, along with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz’s absence, have created new possibilities in this year’s men’s competition at the clay court tournament.
“When I saw Sinner was out, I tried to stay present and stay positive and take it day by day, match by match,” Svajda explained.
“I knew the draw was open, but I just tried to keep doing my routines, keep doing what I’ve been doing and see what happens.”
Svajda hopes to end a lengthy Grand Slam championship dry spell for American male players that extends back to 2003 when Andy Roddick captured the U.S. Open championship.
Fellow American players including 19th seed Frances Tiafoe and 31st seed Brandon Nakashima also have chances to advance following their Saturday matches, though Svajda recognizes he might become the final American remaining in Paris.
“Yeah, that would be amazing. It’s like I’m dreaming right now. It’s crazy,” Svajda commented.
“Today was so special too, because it’s my dad’s birthday. I know he’s watching from above.”
