Monroe gets off to winning start with Tiafoe

Nicholas Monroe is wearing a lot of hats this month in Melbourne: the 38-year-old American is playing doubles, commentating and reporting for Tennis Channel.

Serving as one of Tennis Channel’s on-site sources, Monroe has provided updates from quarantine (he was one of the 72 players in full lockdown) and once freed, he caught up with the likes of Venus Williams and Frances Tiafoe.

Monroe has paired up with popular explosive players since the tour restarted last summer including Tommy Paul, Benoit Paire, Taylor Fritz and, this month in Australia, Tiafoe.

“I’ve transitioned into really enjoying playing with a lot of singles players and just trying to be able to set them up and then help teach them how to set me up,” Monroe says.

Monroe has become something of a doubles mentor for young Americans. He teamed up with Paul for Roland Garros and they reached the quarterfinals.

“Sometimes singles players can get very stagnant out there and not want to move and scared to miss a shot, and it's like, ‘No, no, no, I want you to be an athlete,’” Monroe says. “And so for Tommy, I told him, 'Hey man, just be yourself, freaking be an athlete.’"

The duo had built a rapport playing for the Washington Kastles during World TeamTennis over the summer. He's got a great relationship with Tiafoe, too.

The two got off to a great start with a win over Nick Kyrgios and Matt Reid at the Murray River Open. They’re set to face Marcelo Melo and Horia Tecau once play resumes in Melbourne, likely on Friday.

“With guys like that who were so talented, you want them to just play their game and then maybe there's one or two things that you can help them with,” Monroe says. “Especially for me on my serve the guy is so athletic, so I want the guy poaching and flying around.”

There are a lot of unknowns right now, but what is for sure is that whoever Monroe plays with, and whenever they get back on the court, they’re going to have a lot of fun and bring a lot of energy.