Tommy Paul wasn’t supposed to be fishing in Florida when Team USA needed him most. The World No. 15 has been sidelined by a persistent abdominal injury that first struck during his French Open run, keeping him out of the crucial Davis Cup tie against Czechia.
While his teammates battled in Delray Beach, Paul found solace on the water, sharing glimpses of his downtime that caught the attention of his fiancée, Paige Lorenze.
How Did Tommy Paul’s Abdominal Injury Derail His Davis Cup Dreams?
Paul’s 2025 season has been a frustrating battle against his own body. The injury first surfaced during his quarter-final run at the French Open, where he was dealing with lower abdominal problems that required medical attention. The issue proved persistent, forcing him to miss Queen’s Club, where he was the defending champion.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. When the US Open arrived, Paul appeared to be struggling with the same abdominal ailment during his third-round loss to Alexander Bublik. The setback ultimately forced his withdrawal from Team USA’s Davis Cup clash against Czechia on September 12 and 13.
Adding to Team USA’s woes, World No. 6 Ben Shelton also pulled out due to a shoulder injury sustained at the US Open. The absence of two key players left captain Bob Bryan scrambling to fill the roster for the crucial tie.
Despite the disappointment, Paul seemed to embrace his forced break from competition. His recent Instagram post showed him enjoying Florida’s beaches, fishing, and sharing snapshots from the Davis Cup match he couldn’t participate in.
“Best time of the year in Florida,” he captioned the post.
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What Did Paige Lorenze’s Response Reveal About Their Relationship?
Among the flood of comments on Paul’s post, one stood out from his fiancée, Lorenze. The model and entrepreneur kept her response characteristically playful and supportive.
“Keep it crispy,” she wrote in the comments.
The couple’s relationship has been built on unwavering support since they went public in October 2022. Lorenze has been a constant presence courtside, cheering Paul through his career-high moments, including his rise to World No. 8 earlier this year.
Their bond grew stronger through 2024, culminating in their engagement announcement in July 2025. The 27-year-old has carved out her own identity as a multifaceted professional, working as a model, entrepreneur, and Instagram influencer.
How Did Paul and Shelton’s Absence Impact Team USA’s Davis Cup Campaign?
The withdrawal of Paul and Shelton proved devastating for Team USA’s hopes in their qualifier against Czechia. What initially seemed like a comfortable path to the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna turned into a heartbreaking collapse in Delray Beach.
The tie stood level after Friday’s opening singles matches, with Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka and USA’s Taylor Fritz each securing victories for their respective countries. Saturday’s doubles rubber gave Team USA renewed hope when Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, the Olympic silver medalists, battled to a 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-4 victory over Tomas Machac and Jakub Mensik.
However, the decisive singles matches told a different story. Under the lights at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, home crowd hopes were crushed as Lehecka stunned World No. 5 Fritz 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. The Czech had overcome a 0-4 head-to-head record against Fritz, earning 17 break points and converting three crucial ones.
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The final blow came near midnight when 20-year-old Mensik dismantled Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4, sending Czechia to Bologna and extending Team USA’s Davis Cup title drought to 18 years. The Americans haven’t claimed the prestigious team trophy since their 2007 triumph.
The loss means Czechia joins defending champion Italy, Argentina, Austria, Germany, and France in the Davis Cup Final 8 scheduled for November in Bologna. For Team USA, it’s another painful reminder of how injuries can derail even the most promising campaigns.