Tommy Paul will officially represent the Stars and Stripes later this month in Paris for the second time, but that's nothing new for him.
Paul is a one-time Olympian (he was eliminated in the first round at Tokyo 2021) but after a Wimbledon quarter-final appearance earlier this month, he likes his chances this time around.
“I'm really excited. I didn't go to the Olympics super prepared last time. I was coming off an injury, so I look at it like the last time I went to compete in the Olympics: this time, I'm trying to bring back a medal,” Paul said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
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Tommy Paul of the United States reacts against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in their men's singles quarter-final match during day nine of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 9, 2024 in London, England. (Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
Paul, who was in England earlier this month, has a busy schedule ahead of him. He will be in Paris next week and then will return to the United States to fight for a possible victory at the US Open on home soil.
It's exhausting, but it's nothing 200 milligrams of caffeine from a CELSIUS energy drink can't fix.
“I've always enjoyed this product. As professional athletes, we like to know what we're eating. No sugar, essential vitamins – it's all very important to us,” says Paul. “For me, because of the amount of travelling we do and the jet lag we have to deal with, I start almost every day with a can of CELSIUS and it gives me energy to start the day.”
Of course, if he wins gold in Paris, it would be the first time Paul would hear the national anthem played after a win on an individual stage. Again, this is where officially represents the United States.
Tommy Paul of the United States celebrates after defeating Bernabe Zapata Miralles of Spain during the first round of the men's singles on day one of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz takes the Wimbledon title from Novak DJOKOVIC in six sets
But because tennis is an individual sport around the glove, he feels like he's representing the red, white and blue every time he's between the lines.
“Since I was in junior tennis, that's kind of instilled in you, being an American tennis player. We have such a great history in tennis with so many champions… I think we show up to these tournaments not just to prepare myself, but to prepare the whole country. I really enjoy it,” Paul says. “And then when you go to these team events, you get a little bit of extra motivation. It's a feel-good moment when you walk around the court with the American flag on your shoulders.”
The sport, however, desperately needs an American champion on the men's side. The last American to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open. There was a time when Americans dominated with Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras in the 1990s and 2000s, and John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors before that.
Paul (ranked 13), Taylor Fritz (11), Ben Shelton (14) and Frances Tiafoe (30) are the United States' top options, and Paul knows the pressure is on, “but it's good pressure.”
Tommy Paul of the United States celebrates on match point in his second round singles match against Jack Draper of Great Britain during the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
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“You want that pressure to be on you. You're going in the right direction and people have their hopes pinned on you. That's exactly what you want. I want that for myself and I want that for the fans. We want to be at the top of the game and the United States has been looking for a champion for almost two decades. It's a driving force and a huge motivation for all of us American tennis players.”
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