“I think I’m biased, but the banter the American players have with each other is awesome,” said Tommy Paul ahead of the US Open last year. From fun mystery room playdates to dominating team events, the American players share a real camaraderie. The talented group only recently defended their United Cup title in January. Moreover, the nation added another feather to its cap after Madison Keys became the first American woman – or simply American period – to win the Australian Open title in five years. It’s certainly their laudable team spirit and adorable friendships that make the job of the American players much easier on the tour. A place where players hardly find a friendly face, Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, among others, take pride in entrusting their compatriot Tommy Paul for his survival skills. So, what’s the story?

As BNP Paribas Open – the Masters 1000 event in the Indian Wells – unfolded, Fritz, Shelton, and Emma Navarro sat down for a light-hearted questionnaire and responded to who would be their go-to person if they found themselves stuck in a desert. Though the answers varied among players, Paul was the common denominator for all three. The trio specifically picked the 27-year-old, stating that the “nature boy” would know how to survive the open-area challenge.

“I’ll be stuck in the desert with Tommy. He’s kind of like a nature boy. He could probably find us some food and maybe build a shelter,” said Navarro in a video released by Indian Wells on Instagram. Fritz’s response echoed a similar response – “I’ll just take Tommy outdoors. He might be helpful in surviving.” Moreover, the AO semifinalist Shelton also followed up, saying he’d “probably take Tommy. He won’t panic. Nature guy gonna figure out how to survive.”

For those unaware, Paul has held a love for animals and adventure ever since he was young. Though now accustomed to the lights and glamour of the tour, the American sensation frequently ditches his racket for farm tools when he visits his mom in New Jersey and believes that his interest away from tennis helps him unwind and deal with the pressure.

“I have always tried to be an outside kind of guy; it helps me switch off,” Tommy said ahead of his Wimbledon debut in 2022. “Tennis is outdoors, but even when I am not playing tennis I try and stay outside. Whether that is the beach or when I am at home visiting my family, we are outside all day. When I was younger, we had a dog, so I would spend time outside with it.” From a farmer to a thrill seeker, at 13, Paul left his sisters and home comfort when he entered the ITF Juniors circuit.

He lived with compatriot Fritz in Florida and is now nearing inches closer to levelling the 27-year-old. Paul recently broke new ground when he cracked the top 10 in rankings for the first time following his impressive quarterfinal run in Melbourne earlier this year. Even so, there’s no love lost between the duo. Paul’s influential girlfriend, however, ensures that his closest allies are always taken care of.

Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton send touching messages to Tommy Paul’s girlfriend after receiving hampers from her company

Amid their respective campaigns at the Indian Wells Masters, Tommy Paul’s girlfriend Paige Lorenze surprised Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton with an adorable gift from her lifestyle brand Dairy Boy. Later, the duo took to social media to air their thoughts on the thoughtful gesture.

Taking to Instagram, both players shared glimpses of their gift hampers from Paul’s girlfriend. World No. 3 Gauff expressed her fondness for the ensemble and showed appreciation for Paige’s presents. “Thank you @dairyboy & @paigelorenze 🩷🩷🩷🩷 I love me a good oversized sweatshirt, tote, & hat combo !!”

Later, Shelton also thanked Paige for the gesture but hilariously acknowledged that he wasn’t the typical target audience for her brand. “I don’t think I’m the normal demographic who would be wearing Dairy Boy, I gotta say this might be one of the doper pullovers, hoodies, sweatshirts that we’ve got at the tournament. Vintage. It’s kind of dope.”

The 22-year-old is slated to take on countryman Brandon Nakashima in the tournament’s Round of 16. Meanwhile, Gauff is slated to lock horns with Belinda Bencic for a place in the quarterfinal.

As for Paul, the 10th seed will square off against Russian trailblazer Daniil Medvedev to secure a place in the last eight on Wednesday, March 12.