Tommy Paul’s return to the ATP Tour has gathered momentum as he looks toward another Australian summer swing on the Grand Slam stage. The American is using the Adelaide International as his primary preparation event before heading to Melbourne, where he holds seeding status among the contenders.
With the Australian Open just days away, his fiancée, Paige Lorenze, is already at Melbourne Park, enjoying the opening week before the first major of the season.
Paige Lorenze Supporting Tommy Paul’s Adelaide Run From Melbourne
Paul returned to action at the start of 2026 following a lengthy hiatus that began when Alexander Bublik defeated him in five sets in the third round of the 2025 US Open. The American subsequently dealt with a foot injury that sidelined him throughout the final months of 2025, forcing him to miss the end-of-season events that might have bolstered his ranking.
Now ranked World No. 21 after dropping from a career-high No. 8 achieved last June, Paul is wasting no time shaking off the rust upon his return. The American is currently in Adelaide as the second seed and seems to have found his rhythm.
Following his strong performances, the American secured himself a berth in the semifinals against eighth seed Tomáš Macháč on January 16. Similar to Paul, the Czech has also moved through Adelaide without dropping a set, having beaten Jaume Munar 6-4, 6-4 in his own quarterfinal clash.
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Throughout his comeback in Adelaide, Paul’s fiancée, Paige Lorenze, has made her excitement known on Instagram. She shared a post from the ATP Tour account on her Instagram story featuring Paul in his bright purple New Balance kit at the tournament, writing, “he’s baaaackkk!!!.💜😈🙆♀️💟”
However, her more recent Instagram stories and posts paint a different picture. Rather than remaining in Adelaide to support Paul through the later stages of the tournament, Lorenze’s social media shows that she is in Melbourne, at Melbourne Park, the iconic venue of the Australian Open.
Paul’s Mixed 2026 Season So Far Ahead of the Australian Open
Paul’s path back to the ATP Tour has been somewhat difficult, though his recent form in Adelaide suggests he is headed in the right direction. He opened his 2026 campaign at the Brisbane International but fell to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straight sets, losing 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-6 (6) in a tight opener.
However, in his very next match in Adelaide, the World No, 21 beat compatriot Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4, marking his first tour-level win in four months. He carried that momentum into the quarterfinals, where he beat Australian qualifier Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 6-2 to secure a berth in the semifinals against eighth seed Macháč on January 16.
Paul arrives at the Australian Open as the 19th seed in the men’s singles draw, with his opening round match being against compatriot Aleksandar Kovacevic on January 18. His best performance at a Grand Slam came in the 2023 edition of the Melbourne Major when he reached the semifinals.
With his injury in the rearview mirror, Paul will be eager to replicate that success or push even deeper into the tournament this year.
