Frances Tiafoe Says He Loves the 'Rowdy Atmosphere' of the US Open: 'Brings Out the Best in Me' (Exclusive)

Tiafoe tells PEOPLE that competing in New York's largest tennis tournament always reminds him of watching "Serena and Venus lift trophies"

The US Open brings out "the best" in tennis star Frances Tiafoe.

"The lights are so bright in New York and I love that," Tiafoe, 26, tells PEOPLE during an interview about his new global ambassadorship with Evian, the official water of the US Open for more than three decades.

Ahead of his match against fellow American Aleksandar Kovacevic on Monday, Aug. 26, Tiafoe recalls being inspired by the former tennis greats who competed in New York's largest tennis tournament.

"As a kid, watching Serena and Venus [Williams] lift trophies here, I always wanted to just play on this court and do something special, so I think it always brings out the best in me," Tiafoe says.

Serena, 42, has six US Open championship wins and her sister Venus, 44, won two.

The Evian ambassador says he loves playing "in rowdy atmospheres" and the US Open is especially exciting because "everyone is super amped up and wants to see an American finish the job."

Related: Frances Tiafoe Brings 20 Spare Shirts to Each Match in Case He Gets Too Sweaty

"We don't get to play in America so much and one of the best cities in the world in New York for that matter. So I don't take it for granted," adds Tiafoe.

Tiafoe says his hometown of Washington, D.C. helped him learn how to handle the pressure in big city tournaments. "Growing up in D.C., I definitely like a good city vibe," he says. "It makes me feel comfortable. I could feel at home."

"New York's a lot more faster paced than D.C., but it's just a great vibe. I have a lot of close friends. I mean, people are able to come up and watch, because D.C.'s right around the corner, so it's all just a really good time, and people just really seem to like to come out and watch me."

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Competing under the bright lights and blazing temperatures of a New York City summer, Tiafoe — who calls hydration "a lifestyle in itself" feels that his partnership with Evian flows seamlessly.

"Hydration is so key, especially in our sport and how I like to approach the game," Tiafoe says.

But before he was competing on the biggest stages, he wasn't always on top of his hydration. "I was horrible! I was definitely terrible, definitely had to be told to drink water," admits Tiafoe.

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He adds: 'I didn't take it for what it was until I was competing at the highest level and understood that even when you're off and not playing, you just feel so much better hydrated. I sleep better, I process information better. You just feel way sharper when you're hydrated and I think that plays a part in your whole life and how you approach life. I think it's way bigger than just drinking water. I think you get sharper."

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