The weirdest tennis crossover? Tommy Paul receives unlikely support from Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey

Tommy Paul will face off against Nicolas Jarry in the semi-finals of the Rome Open on Friday and has an unlikely supporter in his quest for Roman supremacy, the actor Matthew McConaughey.

McConaughey though is perhaps not a shock tennis fan as he has been seen at the US Open before in the box of Novak Djokovic last year. He celebrated the Serbian's win in the final. But it seems he is also a fan of Tommy Paul.

One of only 111 accounts he follows on Instagram is the American as well as Novak Djokovic so certainly he is pinning his colours to the mast when it comes to only following two tennis players. But it also meant that there was some hilarious responses from other accounts.

Many finding it bizarre that out of all players he follows, it is Paul alongside the World No.1. The American certainly is one to follow this week as he is into the semi-final and will face Nicolas Jarry for a spot in the final. The winner will then face Alejandro Tabilo or Alexander Zverev who begin the slate on Friday.

But is this tennis' weirdest crossover of the season, another than was mooted was Jon Bon Jovi being a fan of Cameron Norrie and Jimmy Butler has often appeared in player boxes. But will we be seeing the Hollywood star watching Tommy Paul in his box going forward.

“Looks like the early year @TommyPaul1 train is back on track after it was interrupted by the ankle,” McConaughey posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Looking good TP. Roll.”

"Excuse me while I process that Matthew McConaughey is a diehard Tommy Paul fan," prominent journalist Bastien Fachan wrote in a quote tweet.

"Alright alright alright watches tennis and follows TP?!" another wrote. "This is almost as random as Bon Jovi and Norrie," said another quote tweet to the original.