Hours before the US Open women’s semi-finals on Thursday, a small Maryland contingent gathered by the net inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for a quick photo. In the frame were men’s singles semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe, women’s doubles finalist Robin Montgomery, and former world No. 53 Denis Kudla — three players linked by roots at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Maryland. Tiafoe spent much of his childhood there, where his father, Frances Sr., worked as head of maintenance, and he sometimes slept on site.
Kudla first spotted Tiafoe and his twin brother, Franklin, at the JTCC when they were four years old. Six years older, Kudla remembers Tiafoe as a fun-loving kid who gravitated to older players and soaked up time on court. As Tiafoe hit his early teens, rapid progress at junior events such as Les Petits As and a breakthrough Orange Bowl title signaled that his potential was real.
Frances Tiafoe’s Rise in Tennis
Early on, Kudla wondered how Tiafoe’s unconventional forehand and developing athleticism would translate to the professional ranks. Over time, Tiafoe answered those questions emphatically, growing into a standout athlete and a four-time ATP Tour champion. What never changed, Kudla says, was Tiafoe’s exuberance on court — a driving force behind his longevity and appeal as both competitor and showman.
Beyond the smile and flair often associated with Tiafoe, Kudla points to a trait he believes is sometimes overlooked: a sharp tennis mind. From a young age, Tiafoe observed closely, listened more than he spoke, and absorbed the rhythms of the sport and the people around it. That curiosity and composure, shaped by growing up inside a tennis center, became a competitive edge on Tour.
The bond between the two surfaced again at the 2023 United Cup. Kudla, newly bald and initially hidden under a cap, drew a big reaction when team photos required hats off. Tiafoe turned the moment into a running joke that has stuck ever since — a sign, Kudla notes, that his friend remains the same playful presence he met decades ago.
Now coaching at the JTCC and in New York to work with Montgomery, Kudla says Tiafoe has stayed grounded despite success and the temptations that come with it. Their relationship, built on shared beginnings and a mutual love for the game, has endured from childhood courts in College Park to tennis’s biggest stages. This enduring friendship not only highlights their personal journeys but also reflects the spirit of the tennis community that continues to nurture talent and foster connections.