Paul sets his sights on San Francisco

A lot has changed in Tommy Paul’s career since he first joined Team World as an alternate for their breakout victory at the O2 Arena in London three years ago.

Paul was ranked No. 28 and considered part of a promising new wave of American talent at the time. He had the tools to climb even higher, with one ATP singles title to his name and an arsenal of weapons including blistering speed, elite athleticism, and a heavy forehand.

Though he didn’t take the court at Laver Cup 2022, Paul trained alongside his teammates and cheered from the bench as Captain John McEnroe’s squad clinched a dramatic first-ever victory over Team Europe.

One year later, Paul made his official Team World debut in Vancouver, helping defend the title in back-to-back triumphs. Now, in 2025, he returns for a third time, set to compete at the Chase Center in San Francisco under the leadership of new Captain Andre Agassi and Vice Captain Patrick Rafter. “I haven’t been to a Laver Cup that Team World’s lost yet,” he says with a smile. “It’s a good feeling … I want to keep the record going.”

A career on the rise
Paul’s journey to the top of the men’s game has been years in the making. Born in New Jersey, he grew up honing his game on clay courts in North Carolina before moving to Boca Raton, Florida, where he now resides. His early success included winning the French Open boys’ title and reaching a career-high No. 3 in the junior rankings in 2015 – an early sign of his clay-court potential.

His rapid ascent continued in 2024. He captured three ATP titles, including the prestigious Queen’s Club Championship – a victory that propelled him into his first Wimbledon quarterfinal. Paul proved his versatility by emerging as a genuine threat on clay, reaching the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics. In January, he cracked the Top 10 for the first time, reaching a career-high No. 9.

A strong bond with Team World
Paul thrives in a team environment, and his camaraderie with his Laver Cup teammates is a key reason why he relishes the event. “I absolutely love the guys on our team,” he says. This year, he joins forces once again with Taylor Fritz, whom he partnered to win a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, and Ben Shelton, another rising star in American tennis.

Fritz, now ranked No. 4, is someone Paul would compete with at any opportunity. He credits the Californian as the backbone of Team World’s success. “His confidence is amazing,” Paul says. “When he tells you he’s going to go in and beat somebody, you believe him. That’s huge in a team environment.”

Paul also feeds off Shelton’s unrelenting energy and positivity, which make him a natural fit for Laver Cup competition. “Ben is getting better every year,” he says. “His serve is obviously the most powerful serve on tour. He doesn’t lack any weapons in his game; he’s kind of polishing everything out right now and really becoming a great player.”

The thrill of competing alongside Fritz and Shelton – with the shared mission to take down Team Europe – fuels his motivation. “We’re all super competitive guys,” he adds. “We want to hold that trophy for a year. It’s a special thing bringing together all the stars in the whole world and playing against each other on such a big stage.”

Excited for the Agassi era
Paul grew up idolizing Andy Roddick but always recognized Andre Agassi as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Now, the chance to play under Agassi for Team World is a surreal opportunity.

“To be on a team with him will be amazing,” he says. “Andre is one of the coolest people ever to play the sport. To go from Johnny Mac to Andre is unreal. To get on the same side of the court as Andre … I know his tennis IQ is off the charts. When I heard it was him, I wanted to play. I have a great relationship with him and not too many people I’d rather play for.”

A contributor to two successful Team World campaigns, Paul is more determined than ever to take his place in San Francisco and deliver for his team.

“I wanted to come back and be a big part of it this year,” he says. “I think every player is really excited to play. It’s going to be electric.”