36: Tommy Paul Joins the Pod, Partying Too Hard and Making the Top 10 | EP 36

After months of being ghost, World No. 9 Tommy Paul joins the podcast! And boy was it worth the wait! Tommy opens up about his wild days as a junior, why he almost went to college, and how partying nearly derailed his tennis career. He shares stories of growing up in the same generation as fellow Americans, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Reilly Opelka, and revealing who was the best at 14 (spoiler: not Fritz), and why Taylor was by far the worst athlete in the group. Tommy also reveals his actual rock-bottom moment, the insane reason he almost had John Isner as his coach for a tournament, and why he thought he could win Wimbledon last year. Later, Sam, Jack, John and Steve break down the viral prize money debate and compare ATP's revenue share to other major sports. Plus, an update on the ATP Hottie Contest bracket (who’s the early favorite?) and the fallout from the legendary Steve vs. Sam Pickleball showdown. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:51 Super Bowl Recap and Reactions 02:43 Dallas and Rotterdam Tournaments 13:09 Delray Beach and Legends Matches 19:39 Tommy Paul Interview 29:22 Reflecting on Partying Days 30:17 Turning Point and Consequences 32:11 Career Challenges and Breakthroughs 34:10 Climbing the Rankings 35:12 Coaching and Mentorship 42:57 Tennis as a Passion vs. Job 43:34 Tennis Popularity and Celebrity Status 46:10 Revenue Share in Tennis 56:37 Trivia and Wrap-Up