Tommy Paul will play in the main draw of the French Open for the first time in his career after winning the USTA Roland Garros Wildcard Challenge.
The challenge sees players from America battle it out across a series of tournaments with the player with the highest points won being awarded entry into the upcoming grand slam. 21-year-old Paul sealed his spot on Thursday after his nearest rival, Tennys Sandgren, lost in the third round at an ATP Challenger 80 event in Savannah. Paul recently won his second Challenger title in Sarasota and reached the final of another event in Tallahassee a week later.
Paul is currently at a ranking high of 143rd in the world. He has previously enjoyed success at the French Open, but in the junior version. In 2015 he defeated Taylor Fritz to win the boys’ title in what was his only grand slam junior triumph. Becoming the second American boy to win the title since John McEnroe back in 1977. During the same event, he was also runner-up in the doubles competition.
Yet to have a major breakthrough on the main ATP Tour, the American has won nine out of 18 matches played at that level. His best run occurred during 2017 when he reached the quarter-finals in both Washington and Atlanta. This season he has played mainly on the Challenger tour, as well as the qualifying tournaments for both the Australian Open and Houston.
This year’s French Open will be Paul’s first experience of playing in the main draw of a grand slam outside on his home country.
On the women’s tour, Whitney Osuigwe is currently in the lead. The 17-year-old is also a former junior French Open champion, as well as world No.1. Earlier this month she won a ITF $80,000 event in Charlottesville.
The French Open will get underway on Sunday, May 26th.
List of previous American wild card entries for the French Open
2018: Noah Rubin (1R); Taylor Townsend (2R)
2017: Tennys Sandgren (1R); Amanda Anisimova (1R)
2016: Bjorn Fratangelo (2R); Taylor Townsend (2R)
2015: Frances Tiafoe (1R); Louisa Chirico (1R)
2014: Robby Ginepri (1R); Taylor Townsend (3R)
2013: Alex Kuznetsov (1R); Shelby Rogers (2R)
2012: Brian Baker (2R); Melanie Oudin (2R)
