Paul reveals what he would change about tennis: "I don't understand it, we are the only sport that does that"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 25 May 2026 | 10.22

Tommy Paul, changes in tennis. Photo: gettyimages

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Tommy Paul lands at Roland Garros 2026 with better feelings than some recent results reflect. After an intense clay court swing and coming very close to fighting for the title in Hamburg, the American stated during the Paris Media Day that he arrives physically and mentally prepared to face the second Grand Slam of the season.

In a press conference focused on the psychology of crucial moments, Tommy Paul reflected on how he faces match points, explained why he feels comfortable saving tight situations, and shared interesting insights on the mental aspect of modern tennis. The American also discussed what he would change about the sport, analyzed the tactical evolution of the circuit, and explained how he tries to stay calm even in moments of maximum pressure.

This is what Tommy Paul said before competing at Roland Garros 2026

His feelings before Roland Garros

"The clay court swing has been a bit different for me this year. The tournaments were mostly the same, although I added Hamburg, but the results were different. I played well in Houston and then in the Masters 1000, I don't think I played poorly, though obviously I didn't get the results I wanted. In Hamburg, I did feel like I played some really good matches, and now, even though the switch to Roland Garros is very quick, I feel quite good physically. Today was basically a full day of recovery and preparation to be ready tomorrow."

How he handles crucial moments and match points

"Honestly, I don't know exactly how I manage to save so many match points lately. In Hamburg, I approached the matches thinking I was going to compete to the maximum, but also knowing that if I lost, I would have more time to prepare for Roland Garros. That probably took some pressure off even when I was match point down."

"In those moments, I just try to get a lot of balls in, keep hitting, and believe that I can still get back into the match. I never really felt like I was completely out of any match, and that helps a lot mentally."

What he learned after losing match points in Miami

"I remember perfectly how I felt in Miami when I had several match points and gradually felt the advantage slipping away. It's a horrible feeling because you start wanting your opponent's error too much instead of building the point normally."

"That's why when I'm match point down, I try just the opposite: make the opponent earn the point. I want them to have to find an incredible shot to close out the match. If they do, great, too good. I think you also have to accept defeat if the opponent truly earns it."

The psychological pressure in important points

"Every point in tennis is different, but clearly the final points of a match completely change the way of thinking. Throughout most of the match, you have fairly clear routines about what you want to do tactically, but all of that kind of disappears when someone is serving to close out the match."

"Your mind starts racing much faster there, and everything becomes much more complicated mentally. When I'm match point down, I try to simplify absolutely everything: get balls in and make the other player take responsibility."

The change he would make within tennis

"One of the things I would change is that the finalists shouldn't have to go up to the microphone to speak right after losing a final. I honestly don't quite understand why we do that in tennis because in many other sports it doesn't happen. That would probably be the one thing I would really modify."

Why he seems so calm on court

"The reality is that inside my head, I'm not as calm as it seems. I just discovered a while ago that the less emotion I show on court, the better tennis I play."

"There are players who use anger, screams, or even breaking a racket to get themselves going and improve. I'm the opposite. My best tennis shows up when I manage to stay emotionally steady throughout the whole match."

The evolution of modern tennis from defensive positions

"I believe that the aspect that has evolved the most in modern tennis is the players' ability to play from the corners and from defensive positions. Now, many players can turn a defensive situation into a neutral ball almost instantly."

"That's why my coach insists a lot on me approaching the net when I manage to push the opponent into defense because if you stay back, many players can reset the point from impossible positions."

The impact of technology and physicality in today's tennis

"A large part of this evolution has to do with the equipment and the current rackets. I don't think players could hit from the corners like this using wooden rackets or old strings."

"But physicality also plays a huge role. Players like Alex de Miñaur or Carlos Alcaraz are true athletic beasts. They are incredibly fast, strong, and also constantly practice those shots from extreme positions."

With renewed confidence after an irregular but competitive swing, Tommy Paul approaches Roland Garros 2026 convinced that a large part of modern tennis is decided in the mind as much as in the strokes. The American made it clear in Paris that his great strength lies precisely in keeping calm when the match enters emotionally treacherous territory.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Paul desvela qué cambiaría del tenis: "No lo entiendo, somos el único deporte que hace eso"