With the Australian Open right around the corner, can anyone end the United States’ wait for a men’s Grand Slam singles champion?
American women have had no trouble winning Grand Slams… Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, and Madison Keys have all won majors more recently than their male counterparts.
Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a Grand Slam, lifting the US Open trophy 22 years ago.
The likes of Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe have long been touted as potential successors to Roddick, but are fans overlooking one dangerous American star?
Which American man and woman do you think will go furthest at the Australian Open?
2023 Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul could be one to watch next month…
Why Tommy Paul could be an Australian Open dark horse
Paul is one of the most chilled and likeable characters on the ATP Tour.
Who is your favorite ATP player right now?
He’s also an incredible tennis player and has picked up several remarkable results over the years.
Two years ago, Paul reached the semifinals in Melbourne and was just two match wins away from a maiden Grand Slam title.
Tommy Paul at the 2023 Australian Open
- 2023 Australian Open 1R [WIN] vs Jan-Lennard Struff
- 2023 Australian Open 2R [WIN] vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- 2023 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Jenson Brooksby
- 2023 Australian Open 4R [WIN] vs Roberto Bautista Agut
- 2023 Australian Open QF [WIN] vs Ben Shelton
- 2023 Australian Open SF [LOSS] vs Novak Djokovic
His run ended at the hands of the eventual champion, Novak Djokovic, in the semifinals.
Proving his 2023 tournament wasn’t a ‘fluke’, Paul returned to the latter stages of the Australian Open earlier this year.
Tommy Paul at the 2025 Australian Open
- 2025 Australian Open 1R [WIN] vs Christopher O’Connell
- 2025 Australian Open 2R [WIN] vs Kei Nishikori
- 2025 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Roberto Carballes Baena
- 2025 Australian Open 4R [WIN] vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- 2025 Australian Open QF [LOSS] vs Alexander Zverev
Even in defeat to Alexander Zverev, Paul looked impressive, showing his class on Rod Laver Arena once again.
10 years into his Grand Slam career, it’s becoming clear that Paul plays his best tennis Down Under, and he could be a threat in 2026.
Tommy Paul’s Grand Slam record
| Grand Slam | Debut performance | 2025 performance | Best performance | Win/Loss record | Win % |
| Australian Open | 3R – 2020 | QF | SF – 2023 | 15-6 | 71% |
| French Open | 1R – 2019 | QF | QF – 2025 | 9-7 | 56% |
| Wimbledon | 4R – 2022 | 2R | QF – 2024 | 10-4 | 71% |
| US Open | 1R – 2015 | 3R | 4R – 2023, 2024 | 10-8 | 56% |
There’s no reason why Paul can’t make another deep run when he returns to Melbourne, especially if the draw opens up for him.
Never one to back down from a fight, if the pre-tournament favorites, Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, were to go down early, you wouldn’t be surprised to see Paul take full advantage and qualify for another semifinal, or perhaps even go all the way…
The only thing that could work against Paul is his fitness, after he struggled with injuries during the second half of his 2025 campaign.
However, during a Tennis.com interview ahead of his return at the Garden Cup in New York, Paul provided a promising fitness update.
Tommy Paul shares fitness update ahead of the 2026 Australian Open
Paul is glad that he wrapped up his 2025 season after the US Open.
“We as tennis players always complain that the season is too long and the tour should stop after the [US] Open, and that’s pretty much what I did,” he said.
“Let me tell you, it’s not that bad!
“Most other sports do a really good job of giving their athletes time to build muscle and prepare for a grueling season.
“These past couple of weeks, couple months, have been really good for that. I feel like I’ve been able to get a good routine going, and I want to be able to go into Australia and feel good about everything throughout the entire year.
“These months are so important to getting healthy and playing the whole next year healthy. It’s been motivational.”
Paul is certainly feeling positive heading into Melbourne, but only time will tell if he can go all the way!
The 2026 Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 18.
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