Tommy Paul has enjoyed a strong start to his 2025 campaign, reaching the quarter-finals of all three events he’s played.
The American star began his year with an impressive showing at the Adelaide International, coming up short against Felix Auger-Aliassime in a thrilling three-set semi-final.
Traveling to Melbourne, Paul beat Christopher O’Connell, Kei Nishikori, Roberto Carballes Baena, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to advance to the quarter-finals.
He then took on world number two, Alexander Zverev, who he had beaten twice before on the ATP Tour.
It wasn’t to be this time, however, as Paul lost to Zverev in four sets, 6-7, 6-7, 6-2, 1-6, converting just four of his 11 break points, as he let several chances slip by.
Paul broke into the top ten following his Australian Open exploits, and then took a trip to Texas, as he looked to consolidate his new ranking.
The world number nine reached his second semi-final of the year, before Paul lost to Denis Shapovalov in Dallas, 5-7, 3-6.
Ahead of his return to action in Acapulco, the American ATP Tour star has revealed the two players he hates playing the most.
Tommy Paul names Miomir Kecmanovic and Francisco Cerundolo as his two toughest opponents
Appearing as a guest on the Nothing Major podcast, the 27-year-old was asked to name the players he hates competing against.
“Until this year I struggled with [Miomir] Kecmanovic,” said Paul.
“I lost to him at the Australian Open, 6-0 in the fifth set, that sucked.
“I played him in Stockholm this year [2024] and that was the first time I had actually beaten him.
“For some reason I really didn’t like playing him very much.”
Paul trails the head-to-head, 3-2, with the world number 42, despite winning their most recent encounter in Sweden.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2024 Stockholm (QF) | Tommy Paul | Miomir Kecmanovic | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2024 Australian Open (3R) | Miomir Kecmanovic | Tommy Paul | 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-0 |
| 2023 Cincinnati Open (1R) | Tommy Paul | Miomir Kecmanovic | 7-5, 7-6 |
| 2022 Australian Open (2R) | Miomir Kecmanovic | Tommy Paul | 7-6, 7-5, 7-6 |
| 2020 New York (1R) | Miomir Kecmanovic | Tommy Paul | 6-4, 6-2 |
The American lost a five-set battle with Kecmanovic in Melbourne one year ago, having led by two sets to one.
Paul then mentioned another player he’s struggled against recently.
“Also [Francisco] Cerundolo,” he said.
“Me and Cerundolo have great matches but he has got me on some good wins.”
The Argentine world number 26 has won four of his six matches against Paul, including their only meeting at a Major tournament, in Paris last year.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2024 French Open (3R) | Francisco Cerundolo | Tommy Paul | 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2024 Madrid Open (3R) | Francisco Cerundolo | Tommy Paul | 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2023 Canadian Open (2R) | Tommy Paul | Francisco Cerundolo | 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2023 Eastbourne (F) | Francisco Cerundolo | Tommy Paul | 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 |
| 2023 Queen’s (1R) | Francisco Cerundolo | Tommy Paul | 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 |
| 2022 Eastbourne (1R) | Tommy Paul | Francisco Cerundolo | 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 |
Cerundolo beat Paul to advance to the fourth round of the 2024 French Open, matching his best performance at a Grand Slam.
Tommy Paul ranks John Isner, Steve Johnson, Jack Sock, and Sam Querrey on who he enjoyed playing the most
Paul was then asked to rank the Nothing Major podcast hosts, John Isner, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson and Jack Sock, from least favorite to most favorite to play against.
“John, Sam, Sock, and then Stevie,” he said.
The 27-year-old enjoyed mixed success against his fellow Americans while they were active on the ATP Tour.
Tommy Paul v John Isner
- 2023 Newport (QF) – John Isner beat Tommy Paul in three sets
- 2020 Acapulco (QF) – John Isner beat Tommy Paul in three sets
- 2017 Cincinnati Open (2R) – John Isner beat Tommy Paul in two sets
Tommy Paul v Jack Sock
- 2022 Atlanta (1R) – Tommy Paul beat Jack Sock in two sets
Tommy Paul v Steve Johnson
- 2018 Winston Salem (1R) – Steve Johnson beat Tommy Paul in two sets
Paul held a 1-4 record against members of the Nothing Major podcast, but never played against former Wimbledon semi-finalist Querrey.
Tommy Paul reveals whether he would rather win Olympic Gold or the US Open
The American star has played in seven US Open tournaments, but is yet to reach the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.
One competition where he did make the quarter-finals in 2024, was the Olympic Games, where he secured a Bronze medal alongside Taylor Fritz.
When asked whether he would prefer to win Gold alongside Fritz, or reach the final of the US Open, Paul gave an interesting answer.
“Final of the US Open,” he said.
Paul lost to Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open, falling in straight sets to the eventual champion.
He’ll be hoping for more this time around, when the 2025 US Open kicks off on Sunday, August 24.
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