Australian Open: Tommy Paul - "The ideal moment to try it"
Tomorrow Friday ( live in the ticker ) Tommy Paul will meet series winner Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2023. Even if the chances are slim - the American announces a big fight.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jan 26, 2023, 04:20 pm
Yes, how should the inclined tennis fan feel when he puts himself in the current situation of Tommy Paul? Is it the joy, the surprise, the adrenaline of the sensational entry into his first Grand Slam semi-final so far? Or is it a cold shiver that runs down your spine at the mere thought that reaching the semi-finals is now synonymous with playing against none other than Novak Djokovic? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. However, this question is not really that important.
Much more important is the question of what the American can do in his encounter with Novak Djokovic. In any case, Paul himself sums up the starting position quite precisely. "I know I would have better chances of winning if I played Rublev, but playing against Novak would be spectacular. We've trained together before but I'd love to take on that challenge. I know he's almost unbeatable here "Said Paul after reaching the final. And used the subjunctive purely because Djokovic and Rublev were still on the pitch in those moments.
Paul and the spur
An overlap that probably suits Paul, as the American was not tempted to watch Novak Djokovic's demonstration of power against the Russian Rublev live. In general, the 25-year-old thinks very little of burying his head in the sand before the match starts. In the words of the world number 35. it sounds like this : "But I play the best tennis of my life, so I think it's an ideal time to try it. I have the feeling that my work here is not over," said Paul.
In any case, the 25-year-old showed himself to be combative before the first semi-final of his career: "The tournament is not over for me, I want to play two more games and I won't take stock until it's over. It's very important for me to be the first American since Roddick to reach a semi-final at the Australian Open. I remember watching Andy play when I started," recalls Paul. In addition, the long period of drought was a great incentive for American tennis.
"Ever since I was a kid all the coaches have been telling us that American tennis needs a new star and that has made us even more competitive because we not only want to do well in our own interest but also in our role as representatives of the United States," Paul explained. At the Australian Open, three Americans, Sebastian Korda, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, reached the quarterfinals. And Paul has the chance to continue writing this success story.
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