While the women’s category has just Danielle Collins keeping the American challenge alive at the Paris Olympics, the men’s category has two giants, Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz, standing tall against every challenge. However, things turned a bit salty when Paul faced a French Opponent, Corentin Moutet, in the R3. And needless to say, the American had to withstand the shots of Moutet on the court and the unfriendly attitude of onlookers, as they supported the home favorite.

The quadrennial event has a wave of its own, and everyone wants to ride it while standing at the top of the podium. With the same hope, Paul went all out against Moutet, to brush aside the French challenge and make his way further into the tournament. But it wasn’t an easy task. Moutet challenged the American at every point, as the first set went into a tie-break with Paul winning. However, things eased for the American a bit in the 2nd set. The Frenchman was unable to find the rhythm in the first 3 games. But, the stands were firmly behind Moutet. The crowd came to the rescue of the local boy.

Despite the crowd being majorly in favor of his opponent, Tommy Paul won the encounter in straight sets. However, he was yet to give a response to the crowd. And that came during his post-win interview. “I would rather play in that atmosphere than a quiet one,” the 27-year-old said. Rightly so, nothing is more horrifying than no one turning in the stadium to watch you play. And Paul was ready to accept the unfriendly behavior over the empty stands.

Half-filled/half-vacant stands are certainly depressing, as when fans come, they motivate the players to give their best, cheer them on when they win, and in many cases boo the opponent to help their favorite win. But while love is meant for the lucky ones, so is the hate. Paul might have picked something from Novak Djokovic, who has been on the receiving end of the crowd behavior for the last 20 years, and the Paris Olympics seems to be no different for the Serb.

Tommy Paul picks a page from Djokovic’s Paris diary

Tennis fans certainly loved Paul’s chiseled abs. Some fans might even have considered supporting the USA after being taken away by his fitness and physique. However, it’s all good until a local boy turns up. Fortunately or unfortunately, both Paul and Djokovic faced tough luck, as they battled home favorites. While Paul brushed aside Moutet, Djokovic decimated Rafael Nadal, who is not a Frenchman, but very much a crowd favorite, given his record at the Roland Garros.

When it comes to Djokovic, he was the favorite to win the Olympics. He still might be, but he might not get the loudest cheer anymore, as the whole of Paris was heartbroken at the R2 match between the two legends. Every action of the Serbian received an opposite reaction from the crowd. Even if he played a hypothetical violin for his daughter, it was seen as an act against Nadal. Nothing was spared as emotions overtook rationality when Nadal was unable to keep up.

However, Djokovic knows it better than anyone. It’s better to have haters standing opposite and motivating than to have no one on the tour to draw energy from. And Tommy Paul certainly learned it at the Paris Olympics.