French Open 12th seed Tommy Paul says his countrymen are narrowing the gap in level with their European rivals but admits there is still work to be done.
Paul is the second highest-ranked player from his country in this year’s men’s draw after Taylor Fritz. Also in the top 20 seeds are Ben Shelton (13) and Frances Tiafoe (15). The quartet are aiming to end America’s 26-year wait for a male player to contest a French Open final. Andre Agassi was the last to do so in 1999 when he won the title.
In his opening match at the tournament, Paul got off to a bumpy start after coming back from a set down to beat Danish lucky loser Elmer Moller 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3, 6-1. It is the fifth time in his career he has reached the second round of the French Open, However, he is yet to make it through to the second week.
“I think we haven’t closed the gap obviously cause none of us have won a slam,” Paul commented when comparing American players with other nations.
“There’s still a lot of really good Europeans ranked ahead of us. I wouldn’t say the gap has closed. I think over the past six years or so, we’ve definitely made it smaller.”
Fritz contributed to narrowing the gap last season at the US Open when he made it through to the final before losing to Jannik Sinner. This was the first time in 15 years a male player from the country had contested a major final. Fritz was also runner-up at the ATP Finals that same year.
“Fritz making the finals of the US Open, we were all pumped to see that,” Paul commented.
“It motivates us. We’ve been hearing our whole lives how in U.S. tennis, we haven’t had a Grand Slam champion in so long.
“To have him in the finals was huge for U.S. tennis, huge for him and frankly for all of us in terms of belief.
“Seeing him there, I think that we all believe we can be there. I think it’s great for the sport.”
Paul has produced 13 wins over top 10 players so far in his career with his most recent triumph occurring on clay at the Italian Open against Alex de Minaur. In terms of titles, he has won three ATP 250s and one 500 since 2021.
He will play Marton Fucsovics in the next round.
