US OPEN

September 3, 2024

Tommy Paul

Press Conference

J. SINNER/T. Paul

7-6, 7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Tommy, your thoughts on the match.

TOMMY PAUL: You know, I don't think he played very well to start the match, and then once I got up 4-1 I don't think I started playing very well. I had opportunities there in the first set obviously, and then opportunities in the second, but he stepped up on the big points and I didn't. I felt like that was kind of the story of the match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Such a close first two sets. The tiebreakers both times seemed like you had chances. The second-set tiebreak, 5-4 up, looked like you were trying to be aggressive on the returns. Can you take us through those last couple points of the second-set tiebreak.

TOMMY PAUL: Yeah, I wanted to be aggressive on the second-serve returns throughout the whole match. I felt like it was something that was, you know, leaning my way throughout the match, but I never really got super comfortable taking them early. I feel like when I was doing it, I was going big target. Just middle of the court. You know, running from there, I guess.

Those points, I kind of wanted to do a little bit more, put a little bit more on it. The first one, I had a really good look and hit the net cord, and then the second one, that flew a little bit on me. That one wasn't great. But I'd probably do the same thing again. I wasn't really feeling the ball too great on the return today.

Q. In two weeks you're going to be representing Team World in Laver Cup. Are you going to do a stopover in China for Davis Cup? Your opinion about playing in China without the Chinese team.

TOMMY PAUL: Yeah, I'm not going to Davis Cup. I'm just going to be practicing, getting ready for the rest of the season. Obviously this season has been a different-than-usual season with the Olympics and changing surfaces a bunch. I'm definitely going to prioritize getting my body back to 100% for the rest of the season.

Q. What was it like being out there? What was the atmosphere like, nighttime, full stadium?

TOMMY PAUL: Yeah.

Q. People pulling for you.

TOMMY PAUL: That's where you want to be. When I saw the matchup, you know, I thought there was a good chance it was going to be a night match. It was what I was hoping for. It's definitely different than any other match or any other setting.

It's electric, and to walk out, you know, I'm pretty nervous, obviously. It took me a while to, like, start really settling in and having fun. I really don't think until the first set, I think him and me, I felt like we were both battling nerves a little bit and trying to settle in. Then it didn't really happen until beginning of the second I started, I mean, enjoying the moment. You know, it's a pretty cool place to play tennis.

Q. This is the first time you've played Jannik since he kind of made his big leap. What did it feel like to play him out there and how you can contrast it with Carlos, who you've had some great fights with in the past?

TOMMY PAUL: Yeah, I feel like the last time I played him was when he started, or I guess he was already there, but he won his first Masters 1000 that week, beat me in the semis. He plays a super fast-paced tennis game.

Today he clutched up on serves on the big points. He does what all the best players in the world do. You know, he steps up. Yeah, I mean, he's unreal out of the corners. Hits a quality ball every time the ball is on his racquet. I mean, that's kind of what separates him.

I don't know, comparing to Alcaraz, I feel like Alcaraz is, you know, he wants to come in more and plays more all-court style, but Sinner is probably the best ball striker on tour. He uses it very well.

Q. Given what you said about the atmosphere and the chances you had, how do you ensure that the kind of psychological damage of this doesn't last? How do you not let this affect you moving forward, the kind of missed opportunity, I suppose?

TOMMY PAUL: I mean, doesn't really feel like damage. I feel like it's the sport we play every week. We lose matches like this all the time, so it's not like this is kind of messed me up. Not going to have PTSD from this moment (smiling).

Obviously I wish I would have stepped up and capitalized on certain moments in the match, but, you know, just go back to the practice court and get ready for the next event.

Q. As you said, the margins were tight today, particularly the first two sets. Coming off that match how close do you feel you are as a tennis player to Sinner?

TOMMY PAUL: Well, I mean, that's the thing about playing those guys, right, they're the best players in the world. Right now he's No. 1, and, I mean, it's always a great test to see where your level is at.

I don't feel like I played particularly well. I mean, I know he probably didn't play his best tennis today either, but the margins were very small. For me, I mean, that's motivation. Obviously we have two Americans still left in the tournament, but, you know, it's never really felt this open, in a way.

So I believe that one of us can do it at some point.