Tommy Paul will be an official Stars and Stripes representative in Paris for the second time later this month, but this is nothing new for him.
Paul has played in the Olympics before (losing in the first round in Tokyo in 2021) but, having reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals earlier this month, believes he has a good chance of winning this time.
“I’m very excited. I didn’t come fully prepared for the Olympics last time. I was coming back from injury so I’m looking at it the same way I did the last time I competed in the Olympics, this time I’m trying to bring home a medal,” Paul said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Tommy Paul of the United States reacts to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men’s singles quarterfinals on day 9 of the Wimbledon Championships 2024 at the British Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 9, 2024 in London, England. (Daniel Kopacz/Getty Images)
It’s a hectic schedule for Paul, who was in England earlier this month, as he travels to Paris next week before returning to the US to fight for a possible US Open title on home soil.
It’ll make you tired, but it’s nothing the 200 milligrams of caffeine in CELSIUS energy drink can’t fix.
“I’ve always loved this product. As professional athletes, we want to know what we’re putting into our bodies. No added sugar, essential vitamins, these are all really important to us,” says Paul. “For me, with so much travel and a lot of jet lag to deal with, I start my day almost every day with a can of CELSIUS. It gets me going.”
Indeed, if he wins gold in Paris, it will be the first time Paul hears the national anthem after winning an individual event. officially He represents America.
Tommy Paul of the United States celebrates after defeating Bernabe Zapata Miralles of Spain in the men’s singles first round during day one of the 2022 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens on August 29, 2022 in New York City. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win Wimbledon title
But because tennis is an individual sport with gloves on, he feels he is representing the red, white and blue team whenever he is between the finish lines.
“Being an American tennis player is kind of instilled in you from junior tennis onwards. Our tennis has such a great history of producing so many champions. I think playing in these tournaments is not just preparing yourself, but the whole country. It’s really fun,” says Paul. “And then playing in these team events gives you a little extra motivation. Walking on the court with the American flag on your shoulders is a good feeling moment.”
But the tennis world is desperate for an American champion on the men’s side. The last American to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick at the 2003 U.S. Open. In the 1990s and 2000s, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, and before that, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, dominated Americans in their own right.
With Paul (13th), Taylor Fritz (11th), Ben Shelton (14th) and Francis Tiafoe (30th) as America’s best chances, Paul knows there will be pressure, “but it’s good pressure.”
Tommy Paul of the United States celebrates on match point against Jack Draper of Great Britain during the second round of singles at the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Daniel Pocket/Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
“The pressure is on me. I know I’m heading in the right direction and people have high expectations of me. That’s what I want. I want it for myself and I want it for the fans. We want to be at the top of tennis and the U.S. has been searching for a champion for almost 20 years. That’s what drives all of us American tennis players, that’s a big motivation.”
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage,subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
