ROME — American tennis star Tommy Paul has secured a spot in the Italian Open semi-finals after a hard-fought victory, but his post-match comments revealed an unexpected off-court struggle: his truck was repossessed just days before the tournament. The 26-year-old, now set to face Italian favorite Jannik Sinner, joked about the ordeal but admitted he’s been "grinding to get it back."
Paul’s 6-2, 6-3 quarter-final win over Hubert Hurkacz on Wednesday marked his first Masters 1000 semi-final on clay, a career milestone overshadowed by his humorous yet revealing confession. "I’ve been dealing with some adulting problems this week," Paul said in his on-court interview, eliciting laughter from the crowd. "My truck got repossessed, so I’ve been working on that."
A Surprising Setback
The World No. 16 later clarified that the repossession was due to an administrative error rather than financial hardship. "It was a mix-up with paperwork after I moved to Florida," Paul explained. "I’ve been on the phone nonstop trying to sort it out—definitely not how I planned to prep for a semi-final."
Despite the distraction, Paul delivered a dominant performance against Hurkacz, showcasing his improved clay-court game. His aggressive baseline play and deft drop shots left the Polish star scrambling, with Paul winning 82% of first-serve points. The victory extended his 2024 clay-court record to 10-3, a stark contrast to his previous struggles on the surface.
Sinner Showdown Looms
Friday’s semi-final pits Paul against World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who advanced after Stefanos Tsitsipas retired with injury. The matchup presents a steep challenge:
- Sinner’s home advantage: The Italian crowd will be firmly behind their 22-year-old star, who is chasing his fourth title of 2024.
- Head-to-head: Sinner leads 2-1, though Paul won their most recent meeting at last year’s Canadian Open.
- Clay-court form: Sinner has won 12 consecutive matches on the surface, including the Monte Carlo title.
Paul acknowledged the test ahead: "Jannik’s playing unbelievable tennis right now. On clay, in Italy? It doesn’t get much tougher. But I’ve beaten him before, and I’m moving better than ever on this surface. If I serve like today and stay aggressive, it’ll be a battle."
The Repossession Saga
The truck drama became an unlikely subplot to Paul’s Rome campaign. Sources close to the player revealed the vehicle—a customized Ford F-150 Raptor—was seized Monday due to a title transfer delay after Paul relocated from California. "Tommy loves that truck," said his coach, Brad Stine. "He’s been joking about it, but you could tell it bothered him. To play like this after that stress? Impressive mental strength."
Paul’s management team confirmed the issue was resolved Thursday morning, with the truck returned to his Florida residence. The player celebrated by posting a photo of the vehicle on Instagram with the caption: "Reunited and it feels so good. Now back to work—semi-finals tomorrow!"
Career-Defining Opportunity
A win against Sinner would propel Paul to his first Masters 1000 final, potentially breaking into the top 10. Analysts note his recent improvements:
- Clay adaptation: Added topspin to his forehand and improved sliding technique under Stine’s guidance.
- Mental resilience: Overcame 0-5 deficits in two matches during this tournament.
- Serve consistency: Has faced just three break points in his last three matches.
As for the truck? Paul insists it’s back to business: "Lesson learned—double-check your paperwork, kids. But right now, all that matters is finding a way past Jannik. The truck can wait." The semi-final begins at 2:30 PM local time Friday, with the winner advancing to face either Alexander Zverev or Alejandro Tabilo in the championship match.