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American speaks exclusively to ATPTour.com
May 16, 2025
It all adds up for Tommy Paul.
Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
It all adds up for Tommy Paul.
By ATP Staff
It all added up for Tommy Paul earlier this year when he cracked the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time. Will he next achieve one of his biggest goals: claiming ATP Masters 1000 glory?

The American is trying to do just that this week at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, where he is into the semi-finals with a run that has included a victory against longtime foe Alex de Minaur, who had led their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 5-0.

ATPTour.com caught up with Paul at Indian Wells to discuss why playing De Minaur is difficult, his greatest success, why he doesn't feel he has dealt with too many difficulties and plenty more.

It All Adds Up

What is your favourite tennis rivalry?
Rafa and Roger, it's my favourite rivalry in tennis.

Who is your greatest rival?
I don't know if it's a rivalry, because he's got me so many times, but me and Demon [Alex de Minaur] have had some serious wars, and he's got me in some big matches, so I'm out for revenge on Demon.

What makes him so tough to play?
Consistency. Doesn't miss a ball. He’s a dog on court.


What has been your greatest success?
I would say my greatest success so far is last year in Queen's [Club], winning the 500 title. That was a special thing at a special place.

What's the greatest difficulty you've had to overcome?
I don't like to feel like I've had too many huge difficulties in my life. I play tennis for my job and for a living, and I think life's been pretty good.

What's been the most unique moment in your career?
Transitioning from juniors to pros is unique. I think for a lot of people it's easier than others and for me it was a difficult time, but definitely a big change in lifestyle.

What is the biggest number or the biggest accomplishment that you're chasing?
I guess the biggest thing that I'm chasing is a tournament, a Masters 1000 title or Top 5 in the world.

How long have you been pursuing that?
I guess my whole life. I feel like every time I go to a tournament, the goal is to win the tournament. And I played quite a few of these, and I've wanted to win every single one that I've played.

What's your favourite tournament to play?
My favourite tournament to play in is either Indian Wells, Wimbledon, or the US Open. US Open because it's the home slam for us. Wimbledon, it's the mecca. And Indian Wells, because [it is] tennis paradise.

What's been the coolest off-court experience you've been able to enjoy being a professional tennis player?
I've gone to a lot of really cool sporting events, whether it's on the Tour or at home. I guess earlier this year, the Eagles won the Super Bowl, and I went to the NFC Championship game. That was a pretty awesome event to go to.

Has being a professional tennis player given you some better fishing opportunities?
Before the [US] Open, a couple years ago, we went fishing in the Hamptons, and that was quite an experience.

American advances to R4 at Roland Garros for first time

Tommy Paul
© Getty Images

by ATP Staff

Milestones — May 30

Tommy Paul battled through the pain once more Friday at Roland Garros, where he dug deep to record his 200th tour-level win.

The 12th-seeded American, who has been nursing a lower ab injury this week, overcame Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3 to reach the fourth round at the clay-court major for the first time. Paul also battled cramps late in the fifth set, but delivered a barrage of big hitting to become the third active American to secure 200 wins, after Taylor Fritz (301) and Frances Tiafoe (225), who also plays on Friday.

“Like a million bucks, I feel pretty good,” Paul said with a laugh when asked of his physical state. “I love playing in front of you guys, it’s been an awesome crowd for my first three matches here, I appreciate all the support. Hopefully we can keep it going.

“I love this stuff, it’s so much fun playing out here, honestly. Not all matches are four hours long, but that was an awesome battle on both ends of the court. We both played well and that’s what it’s all about.”

It All Adds Up

With his best run in the French capital, during which he overturned a two-sets-to-love deficit against Marton Fucsovics in the second round, Paul is up three spots to a career-high No. 9 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. He is now 24-8 on the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

Having let slip a break lead in the fourth set, Paul appeared visibly hampered during the latter stages of the encounter. Yet the 28-year-old responded with a clinical start to the fifth set, in which he brushed aside any physical issues with a heavy-hitting performance to sail to a 4-0 lead before sealing victory after four hours, seven minutes.

After improving to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Khachanov, Paul will next play 25th-seeded Australian Alexei Popyrin, who moved past Nuno Borges with a 6-4, 7-6(11), 7-6(5) triumph earlier on Friday.