‘People see themselves in me’: Frances Tiafoe on being a tennis trailbazer in a mainly white sport

Michelle Obama is a fan of the world No 14, who is a vocal supporter of women’s sport, especially basketball

Frances Tiafoe of United States returns a shot to Yosuke Watanuki of Japan during the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on July 30, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Frances Tiafoe is in his element when he talks passionately about the growing presence of black and mixed heritage players at the highest levels of men’s tennis. During a stroll on tournament grounds he reels off the names of players he competes with regularly on the tour. “Now they’re at a position where I have wars with them and go back and forth. So this is great, man. It’s great to see,” he says. “And then you have Giovanni [Mpetshi Perricard], you have Gaël [Monfils], who I looked up to.” 

Seconds after Tiafoe mentions his name, Monfils suddenly appears from around a corner as if magically summoned by the American’s utterance. His arrival naturally leads to a pause in this interview as an excited Tiafoe greets Monfils by heaping praise on his new haircut, particularly focusing his attention on the Frenchman’s sleek fade. Monfils responds with a compliment of his own: “You’re looking like a wedding day,” he says, laughing.