Tommy Paul, the American tennis sensation, saw his rise to the top abruptly stopped during the Acapulco ATP 500 event. Fresh from a remarkable breakthrough into the Top 10, Paul was forced to withdraw from the Acapulco title race due to a stomach ailment.
His journey to Mexico was marked by a string of impressive performances, including a semi-final finish at the Dallas Open against eventual champion Denis Shapovalov. He kicked off the season with a strong start, making his way into the last four at the Australian Open. He fought a tough battle against runner-up Alexander Zverev, and although he didn’t win, his performance was commendable.
At the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, Paul showcased his prowess with a convincing victory over Gabriel Diallo, ending the match at 6-2, 6-2. His win secured him a spot in the Round of 16 against Marcos Giron. However, his journey was cut short due to a stomach ailment.
The Acapulco ATP 500 event was thrown into chaos when a wave of stomach ailments struck the players. Two former finalists had to withdraw, and another top contender retired mid-match. This unfortunate turn of events saw every Top 5 seed eliminated, including Casper Ruud and Tommy Paul.
Ruud expressed his disappointment on Instagram, writing, “I’m so sorry I had to pull out tonight. I was hoping to overcome this stomach illness that showed up yesterday and tried everything I could to be able to play tonight, until the very last moment.”
Paul’s withdrawal allowed Giron, ranked 52, to advance to the quarterfinals. Giron will now face Canadian Denis Shapovalov for a spot in the last four.
The day was full of upsets, with top seed Alexander Zverev being defeated by 19-year-old qualifier Learner Tien, and fifth seed Ben Shelton losing to David Goffin. However, eighth seed Tomas Machac and ninth seed Denis Shapovalov managed to continue their winning streaks.
Despite the setback, Paul remains optimistic about his future. His impressive performance in Melbourne allowed him to reach a career-high No. 9 ranking. His achievement was celebrated by his influencer girlfriend, Lorenze Paige, who gifted him a watch with a special message engraved on the back – “Top Ten and Beyond With Love Paige.”
Paul has come far from being ranked 1508 in December 2014. His journey to the top has been a testament to his perseverance and passion for the sport. Before the Mexican Open, Paul shared his motivation for breaking into the Top 10.
“When I was young, I had very difficult moments in my relationship with tennis,” he said. “I saw myself making many sacrifices without achieving the expected results. But when I turned 21 and saw my friends settling into office jobs, I realized how privileged I was to dedicate myself to tennis.”
While making it to the Top 10 is a significant achievement, Paul has set his sights higher. “My main goal is to reach the top 5 and win more important tournaments,” he said. “I will never be satisfied; I want more, and my goal is to improve every day to aim for very high levels of success.”
As for his next move, Paul is currently focusing on his recovery. His return to the court will depend on how quickly he recovers from his stomach ailment. Despite the setback, his determination and passion for the sport remain undeterred. His fans eagerly await his return to the court and the continuation of his remarkable journey.
