University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Monday Caps Long List of Honors with National Rookie of the Year Award
June 21, 2021 | Men's Tennis
Tennessee tennis freshman Johannus Monday adds yet another postseason honor to his belt as he becomes the third-ever Vol to earn the ITA's National Rookie of the Year the organization announced Monday.
Monday joins current head coach Chris Woodruff (1992) and VFL Peter Handoyo (1999) as the only Vols to claim the National Rookie of the Year award.
Monday's latest honor comes on top of him claiming the ITA Ohio Valley Region Rookie of the Year Award, SEC Freshman of the Year, Singles All-America Status, First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team acclaim.
The Hull, England native spent his first season on Rocky Top, earning nothing short of immense success.
He earned a season-high ITA singles ranking of No. 8, went 32-9 overall in singles and 23-6 in dual action with 14 victories over ranked opponents, while playing primarily at the No. 2 position in the singles lineup. Monday also recorded an impressive, 11-1 ledger during SEC action, falling only to the ITA National Player of the Year, Liam Draxl of Kentucky.
The freshman standout was also integral to helping the Vols earn a number of key victories. His straight-set singles triumphs over Connor Thomson of South Carolina and National Champion, Sam Riffice of Florida helped propel the Vols to their fourth SEC Tournament Title. He also took down Texas' Elliot Spizzirri on the final day of ITA Indoor Nationals to push UT past the then-fifth-ranked Longhorns.
Despite falling in the 2021 NCAA semifinals, Monday will join a mix of veterans and talented newcomers in 2022 as Vol Tennis looks to make a run at more than one trophy in the upcoming season.
Monday joins current head coach Chris Woodruff (1992) and VFL Peter Handoyo (1999) as the only Vols to claim the National Rookie of the Year award.
Monday's latest honor comes on top of him claiming the ITA Ohio Valley Region Rookie of the Year Award, SEC Freshman of the Year, Singles All-America Status, First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team acclaim.
The Hull, England native spent his first season on Rocky Top, earning nothing short of immense success.
He earned a season-high ITA singles ranking of No. 8, went 32-9 overall in singles and 23-6 in dual action with 14 victories over ranked opponents, while playing primarily at the No. 2 position in the singles lineup. Monday also recorded an impressive, 11-1 ledger during SEC action, falling only to the ITA National Player of the Year, Liam Draxl of Kentucky.
The freshman standout was also integral to helping the Vols earn a number of key victories. His straight-set singles triumphs over Connor Thomson of South Carolina and National Champion, Sam Riffice of Florida helped propel the Vols to their fourth SEC Tournament Title. He also took down Texas' Elliot Spizzirri on the final day of ITA Indoor Nationals to push UT past the then-fifth-ranked Longhorns.
Despite falling in the 2021 NCAA semifinals, Monday will join a mix of veterans and talented newcomers in 2022 as Vol Tennis looks to make a run at more than one trophy in the upcoming season.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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