By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, August 21, 2025
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Tommy Paul has faced some of tennis’ most iconic champions.
World No. 14 Paul has squared off against elite champions including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in match play—and he’s spent several practice sessions going up against Roger Federer. Paul even shared the court with Hall of Famer Andre Agassi.
So who is the best of the best?
The 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Paul says Carlos Alcaraz is world No. 2, but when it comes to toughest opponent the five-time Grand Slam champion is second to none.
In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, Paul said Alcaraz is the toughest opponent he’s faced—qualifying that statement with the fact he only faced Grand Slam king Djokovic once.
“I feel like for me to judge the most difficult opponent, it has to be someone that I’ve played more than once,“ Paul told Flashscore. “You want to say Novak, but I’ve only played him once.
“Obviously, Alcaraz is there, and Sinner is there. It’s no secret. Everyone knows they’re the two best right now, so it’s kind of an easy answer.
“But if I had to pick one, the level that Alcaraz played against me at the French Open this year, I hadn’t seen so I thought that was probably the highest level.”
Alcaraz pounded Paul 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 in the Roland Garros quarterfinals in June—his fourth straight win over the American since Paul won two of their first three meetings.
Reigning Roland Garros champion Alcaraz is 5-2 vs. Paul. Sinner has won four of five meetings vs. Paul with the American’s lone win coming on Eastbourne’s grass back in 2022. Djokovic beat Paul in their only meeting at the 2023 Australian Open semifinals. Paul split two career meetings with Nadal and beat Murray in their lone meeting.
Newly-engaged Paul reached Grand Slam quarterfinals in his first two majors this year then fell in the Wimbledon second round battling both a foot and abdominal injuries.
The US Open starts Sunday and Paul says he’s healthy and ready to put his best foot forward.
“The foot is actually amazing,” says Paul. “The foot’s never felt better. It’s literally the best it’s felt in five years. I’m pretty pumped about that.
“I went into a boot for a couple weeks after Wimbledon. When you go into a boot, your ankle kind of gets very tight because of the mobility, it’s not mobile at all. It’s just really getting the mobility back and everything.
“I wouldn’t say I’m in much pain. I would just say really trying to get the strength around the ankle and around the foot back is what we’re most focused on right now.”
Despite battling recent injuries, Paul says it’s his passion for play that sustains his excitement for competing on court.
“I think the secret is just loving it,“ says Paul. “Obviously the season’s very long. You go through different challenges throughout the year, and maybe don’t love some of the challenges. But you have to embrace most of them. Most of the challenges that I face – as long as it’s not injury – I pretty much love every part of it, besides the travel.”
