"Those guys would have such big holes in their game and be able to hide it": Tommy Paul lauds idol Roddick for masking weaknesses in his game
ATPSaturday, 12 August 2023 at 23:30
Tommy Paul
spoke about his idol Andy Roddick after achieving the biggest victory of his
career against Carlos Alcaraz at the Canadian Open.
The
American surprised the world No. 1 by displaying a high level of tennis to
secure the victory in the quarterfinals with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. This is
the second time that Tommy Paul has defeated Alcaraz, but the first time with
the Spaniard as the world's top-ranked player.
Ranked at
World No. 14, he advanced to the semifinals of the National Bank Open Toronto
and is rapidly approaching the top 10 after starting the year at the 32nd
position.
At 26 years
old, Paul was asked about a role model he had while growing up, and he
mentioned his compatriot Andy Roddick, recalling Roddick's victory in the 2003
US Open final.
“I can't
say that I, like, remember the actual match. Six years old was when I started
playing tennis. I remember, you know, like, the posters from the US Open that
year or even remember, like, what outfit he was wearing," Tommy Paul said.
"Like,
I wanted to wear that outfit for three years after it, you know. But I wouldn't
say, like, I really -- he was definitely one of my idols growing up, but I
couldn't say I really tried to play like him or model my game after him,"
he added.
Read also
Paul also
commented that he enjoys watching tennis from the 80s and 90s on YouTube and
how players were able to mask some of their weaknesses in their game.
“I watch a
lot of tennis, but I wouldn't say I model my game after too many players. I try
and copy certain shots, you know. But I watch a lot of older tennis, actually.
I watch a lot of tennis from, like, the '80s and '90s. That's where I, like, go
back on YouTube and watch tennis from back then," Paul said.
"And
it's really cool how those guys would have such big holes in their game and be
able to hide it, similar to Roddick. Like, he didn't have a great backhand. He
would hide it with his slice. I mean, it's easy to hold serve when you have
Roddick's serve," he added.
Paul is
ready to face the 21-year-old Jannik Sinner, with whom he has a head-to-head
record of 1-1. The match will determine the second finalist of the Canadian
Open, who will face Alex de Minaur for the title on Sunday.
The
Australian defeated Spanish player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in this round
and secured his first Masters 1000 final in his career.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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