Just days after his Australian Open quarterfinal defeat, Tommy Paul returned home to Florida, battling jet lag and disappointment.
In his match against Alexander Zverev, Paul had opportunities, particularly in the first two sets decided by tiebreaks, but ultimately lost. His hopes for a second major semifinal and a potential Grand Slam final appearance were crushed.
While Zverev competed against Novak Djokovic for a spot in the Australian Open final, Paul was asleep thousands of miles away until his girlfriend, Paige Lorenze, woke him at 4 a.m.
She told him that Djokovic had withdrawn from the semis due to injury. Paul’s initial reaction was disbelief and a tinge of ‘what if,’ considering how close he had been.
However, a month later, this setback has only strengthened Paul’s resolve. In 2024, he secured three tour titles and broke into the top 10 world rankings after his Melbourne performance. At 27, Paul, known for his dedication and consistent improvement, aims for even greater achievements.
Immediately after the Zverev match, Paul identified areas for improvement, especially his first serve. The loss also provided a crucial lesson for future high-stakes matches.
Paul reflected that while he lost to Zverev, it was also Zverev who won the match. He aims to be the player who dictates wins in crucial moments against top players, rather than relying on opponents’ errors.
According to his coach, Brad Stine, Paul doesn’t dwell on defeats. Stine describes him as a positive individual who quickly analyzes losses to improve.
Stine was drawn to Paul’s positive attitude and eagerness to learn when they began working together in 2020. Despite Paul being ranked No. 90 at the time, Stine recognized his potential. They created a five-year plan focusing on specific improvements to Paul’s game.
Weeks later, Paul reached the Australian Open third round, defeating Grigor Dimitrov. By year-end, he had achieved his first top-10 victory against Zverev and accomplished Stine’s improvement list.
Paul’s first ATP title came in Stockholm in 2021, boosting his confidence and ambition.
Stine recalls Paul’s desire for continued success after his first title, signaling his hunger for more.
The following season, Paul achieved four top-10 wins, including one against Rafael Nadal at the Paris Masters. His ranking steadily improved, aligning with their long-term goals. Paul expressed his ambition to Stine, stating he didn’t want to be just good, but great.
Paul’s approach to greatness involves a balanced lifestyle, combining intense dedication with relaxation and enjoyment of competition. This prevents the pressure of achieving top rankings from becoming overwhelming.
In 2023, Paul reached his first major semifinal at the Australian Open, becoming the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2009 to achieve this, and entered the top 20 rankings. He also reached a 500-level final in Mexico and defeated then world No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz.
Despite past ranking positions, Paul has always believed in his ability to win tournaments. In 2024, he won his largest title at the Queen’s Club Championships, along with the Dallas Open and another Stockholm title. He reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals and won an Olympic bronze medal in doubles with Taylor Fritz.
Paul emphasizes his goal to win every tournament he enters, viewing each as a mission. He now approaches tournaments with increased confidence, aiming to conserve energy in early rounds and exert maximum effort later to secure titles.
Paul faced a minor shoulder muscle tear from the Australian Open, affecting him in Dallas. He withdrew from the Delray Beach Open to recover for the spring hard-court season. This allowed him to enjoy watching the Super Bowl at home. He humorously preferred the Eagles’ dominant win.
Recently, Paul, along with Holger Rune and Casper Ruud, withdrew from the Mexican Open due to illness. His participation in the MGM Rewards Slam in Las Vegas was also postponed.
Paul now aims to surpass his 2024 semifinal result at Indian Wells and gain crucial ranking points at the Miami Open, after an injury-related withdrawal last year.
Paul values his coach Stine and his team, considering them like family and appreciating their loyalty and collaboration.
He highlights their effective teamwork and constant communication as essential to his progress.
The 2025 Australian Open marked Paul’s third Slam quarterfinal. While pleased with his year’s start, he sees quarterfinal finishes as steps towards his major goal: winning a Grand Slam. Reaching the top 10 was anticipated and is now part of his larger journey.
Paul states that achieving top 10 hasn’t drastically changed his daily routine, but it has shifted his goals. His new objective is to reach the top five, which requires winning tournaments and aiming for Masters 1000 titles.
Marcus Bellamy