Carlos Alcaraz is marching on with his French Open title defense and just took another step closer to the final. The defending champion faced off against 12th seed Tommy Paul in the men’s quarterfinal on Court Philippe Chatrier, a rematch of their Olympic showdown from last year, which Alcaraz won in straight sets. Paul, the last American standing in the men’s draw, had a mountain to climb after Frances Tiafoe fell earlier to Lorenzo Musetti. But the climb looked steeper than ever, as the Alcaraz bakery opened up again in Paris and the American seems riddled with injuries.
Paul came into the match trying to pull off something he’s never done before, beat a top-10 player at a Grand Slam. So far, he’s 0–4 in those attempts on clay. Add to that an 0–2 record against top-two players on this surface, and the numbers weren’t in his favor. But the 28-year-old has been making quiet history this season. With his run at Roland Garros, he became one of the few Americans to reach the quarterfinals on all three surfaces–hard, grass, and now clay.
Still, the quarterfinal didn’t start well for him. Alcaraz dominated from the first ball and handed Paul a bagel in the opening set. The Spaniard was untouchable on serve and gave Paul no room to breathe. Paul finally got on the board in the second set with a love hold, cracking a 141 mph serve. But that brief spark didn’t last. Alcaraz tightened his grip again and ran away with the second set, 6-1.
While Alcaraz’s shot-making was dazzling, fans couldn’t help but notice Tommy Paul’s movement wasn’t quite right. And that raised some questions.
Tommy Paul’s performance at the French Open sparks injury concerns
There’s been speculation all week that Tommy Paul hasn’t been 100% fit. Former tennis pro and Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs weighed in during the match, tweeting, “Now, unless Tommy asked to have more time. This match WAS RIDICULOUS to put at night knowing the potential leg injury to Tommy Paul. He will be lucky to finish this match.”
Now unless Tommy asked to have more time. This match WAS RIDICULOUS to put at night knowing the potential leg injury to Tommy Paul. He will be lucky to finish this match.
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) June 3, 2025
Fans also chimed in with concern. One wrote, “People were talking crazy 2 days ago saying Tommy Paul’s injury was fake. No look what a real player is doing to him”
Paul has been pushing through the pain throughout the tournament. He’s been dealing with a lower abdominal injury, which he’s mentioned multiple times in press conferences. It was serious enough to require MRIs before the tournament. But despite the setbacks, Paul kept showing up and finding ways to win.
In fact, in his third-round match against Karen Khachanov, Tommy Paul had to fight through painful cramps late in the fifth set. But the toll it’s taken is starting to show now.
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