Florida-based Tommy Paul moves up to American No. 1 in the ATP rankings

The grass-court swing continued on the ATP Tour where Tommy Paul has become the American No. 1 for the first time. The 27-year-old just captured his third tour-level title in London after winning a title earlier this year at the Dallas Open. He also reached the finals at this year's Delray Beach Open.

This marks Tommy Paul's first tour-level title on grass and his first ATP 500 title, where he overcame Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 7-6(8) in the final at the 2024 cinch Championships. He dropped only one set en route to winning the massive trophy at Queen’s. With his impressive run, Paul has now surpassed Taylor Fritz as the American No. 1 in the ATP rankings.

Above: Tommy Paul is looking pretty happy right about now as he's enjoying the best year of his career. Photo: Juarez Santos / Delray Beach Open.

“It's an honor to become the No. 1 American, but we both have big goals and we want to be in the Top 10 [of the] rankings,” Paul said when asked about rising to No. 1 and Fritz. “That's where both of us want to be.”

The fifth seed, who committed just six unforced errors, played with intense focus and calm throughout the 88-minute battle against an extremely dangerous Musetti. With his 27th tour-level win of the season, Paul will rise to No. 12 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Above: Check out highlights from Tommy Paul's maiden grass court title win over Lorenzo Musetti at London's famous Queen's club. YouTube: LTA. 

Does this grass-court championship mean that "TP" will soon bring the Wimbledon trophy back to his new home in Boca Raton, Florida? Perhaps his love for Florida Tennis and extensive training sessions at Evert Tennis Academy and FAU are beginning to pay dividends. 

After all, if you look at the ATP rankings, all the top American men have roots in Florida now. Paul leads the group in 12th, with Taylor Fritz in 13th, and Ben Shelton in 14th. Fritz has a residence in Miami and Shelton, a former Florida Gator, lived most recently in Gainesville.

And that's not all — Sebastian Korda, from Bradenton, is now ranked 20th while Frances Tiafoe, with a home in Boca Raton, is ranked 30th. Even one of the top American doubles players, Austin Krajicek (ranked 19th in ATP doubles), hails from Tampa as well.

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Source: ATP Tour. Top Photo: Tommy Paul photographed by Andrew Patron / Delray Beach Open.