ROLAND GARROS

May 25, 2026

Tommy Paul

Press Conference

T. PAUL/R. Hijikata

4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How are you feeling about your first win here?

TOMMY PAUL: Always happy to start off with a win. Very different conditions. Obviously a lot warmer. A lot faster than what I was coming from, so happy to kind of figure that out today. I think Rinky came out playing very well. He came out playing very fast, very well. I had to make some adjustments. I thought I did a pretty good job, all things considered.

I didn't feel like there was one part of my game that I was kind of leaning on, so I think it was an all-around effort from digging out of the corners and just trying to extend points.

Q. Some of the American guys, Michelsen and Tiafoe were saying that they thought these faster conditions would make Americans happier on clay than maybe they usually are with the big hitting. You're not maybe that sort of stereotypical American player, but how do you feel competitively? If it stays this way for this week, how would that affect you?

TOMMY PAUL: I think they're right in terms of all the Americans. I think most of us enjoy a little bit faster conditions. I'm pretty sure Ben played. Yeah, he won. Probably played pretty well.

Foe, as well. Reilly had a tough one yesterday. I don't need to go through all the American results, but yeah, I think it's a good thing overall.

I mean, as soon as I feel like I can get a little bit better timing down, I mean, I think it's helpful for me.

Q. You obviously did well here as a junior. I'm wondering how you feel about your relationship with clay at this point? If you still feel -- I don't know if it's your best surface, if you put it in that conversation, but...

TOMMY PAUL: I like to think of myself as an all-courter now. I've had pretty good results on everything. Very comfortable on everything.

So, I mean, I think my relationship with clay is great. This season has been a little bit weirder than most going from having results in 250s and 500s this year compared to the other years where I feel like in those tournaments I haven't done as well, and I did well in the Masters 1000 and here in Roland Garros.

Obviously trying to repeat that or do better this year in Roland Garros, that's the goal.

Q. In terms of your feeling here, how much does the run last year here still have some positive echoes hopefully?

TOMMY PAUL: Yeah, I think for me last year I obviously was playing pretty well, but we look back on -- I say we as in my team. We look back on that week, and I don't think I played too special. You know, I just gave myself a chance in every match and fought really hard.

Obviously there until that last match I got my ass beat, but I think it was a little bit motivating just because I don't think I was playing my best tennis, and I did go pretty deep in the tournament.

I mean, if I'm playing really good tennis, I think I can do really well here.