Tommy Paul has started his Cincinnati Open journey with a comfortable opening-round win, having dispatched Pedro Martínez with ease.
It marked a comprehensive return to form for the American, who has not played since his shock second-round exit at Wimbledon.
He was part of a mass exodus at that event, as a record number of seeds fell in the first two rounds.
However, he was more justified than others, given it was well-documented that Paul had been carrying an injury ever since the French Open, and even picked up a fresh issue at the All-England Club too.
He is now back, and hopefully fit enough to start competing at the latter stages of these elite events once again.
It will not be easy in Cincinnati though, with the conditions chief among those awkward obstacles he must overcome.
Tommy Paul gives short answer about Cincinnati conditions
Speaking to Tennis TV immediately after the match, many would be forgiven for thinking that Paul’s view on the Cincinnati Open conditions would have been positive.
After all, he had just won 6-2, 6-2, with minimal fuss.
And yet, the interview posed the following question: “Before the tournament a few people said the tournaments were playing slow. Your thoughts?”
Paul’s response was short, as he laughed whilst replying: “I think they’re crazy!”
It’s clear where he stands on this topic, with even Jannik Sinner admitting he is struggling with the Cincinnati conditions as well.
Tommy Paul delivers an injury update after Cincinnati Open win
This was not all Paul had to say in the post-match, but a more fleshed-out interview was given to Tennis Channel, where he delved into his injury issues faced over the summer.
First speaking about his inability to defend his crown at Queen’s, he began: “It’s a lot of things, one thing after another, really.
“It’s tough, you know? It really sucked, I mean, even if I go there and not defend my points, maybe lose first round or second round. That hurts, but that doesn’t hurt as much as not even getting the chance to go there. So, that really sucked.”
Then touching upon the new injury he sustained during his Wimbledon defeat, Paul continued: “I heard a pop in my foot during the match, and after I got an MRI and when they tell you you’ve ruptured a tendon, you kind of just shut it down.
“It was agreed upon by the whole team. But moving forward, we weren’t sure if I was going to play here. Obviously, I was in a boot for two weeks. I think I got the boot off two weeks ago and we weren’t sure if I was going to play here.”
Fortunately, recovery had been kind to the 28-year-old, who finished by stating: “With practice the past couple of weeks, it was pretty good. I told my coach, ‘I think we’re good to go for Cincy, at least, and get some matches.’ It was either come here or not come here and play Winston-Salem before the Open and I thought, ‘It would be better if I could obviously play here.’”
Given the ease with which he beat Martinez, hopefully this can mark the start of a healthy and successful comeback for Paul after a nightmare few months.
