"Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic have won quite a few tournaments, so I don't feel too bad" - Tommy Paul on former US Open champions' early exit

Tommy Paul shared his views about the early exits of title contenders Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the 2024 US Open. The American stated he does not 'feel too bad' for them as they have won many tournaments in their careers.

Paul advanced to the fourth round of the New York Major after his 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(3) win over Canada's Gabriel Diallo. In his post-match press conference, the American was asked what he thinks about the opportunities at the US Open after early exits for former champions Alcaraz and Djokovic.

In response, Paul said that he believed the Olympic Games fatigue was a factor in their exit coupled with the rapid change in surfaces.

"I think the guys who played Alcaraz and Novak stepped up and played great, but yeah, I feel like I went through Olympic fatigue, I guess at the right time, in Canada and Cincy, but I feel pretty good now. I've recovered a bit. Yeah, it's a tough change. We've never gone from grass to clay so quickly," Tommy Paul said.

"I don't want to take anything away from those guys, they earned those wins and played some amazing tennis. I'm happy for them. Carlos and Novak have won quite a few tournaments, so I don't feel too bad," he added (via "Punto de Break").

Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon titles before securing a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, all within a few months. He won his first-round match at the US Open against Li Tu but suffered a surprising second-round upset against Botic van de Zandschulp, following which the Spaniard commented on the 'tight' tennis schedule.

Djokovic, despite suffering from a knee injury this season, reached the Wimbledon final and won the Olympic gold medal before competing in the New York Major. He defeated Radu Albot in the first round and received a walkover against Laslo Djere next but faced defeat against Alexei Popyrin in the third round.

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Tommy Paul takes on Jannik Sinner in the US Open 2024 4R

Out of the top three seeds at the US Open, only World No. 1 Jannik Sinner remains after the exit of World No. 2 Novak Djokovic and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian will take on Tommy Paul in the fourth of the New York Major.

Sinner got the better of Mackenzie McDonald 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2, and Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 before defeating Christopher O'Connell 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the third round on Saturday, August 31.

Meanwhile, Paul defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in the first round and received a walkover in the second round against Max Purcell before defeating Canada's Gabriel Diallo to set up a fourth-round clash against Sinner.

This will be the fourth encounter between Paul and Sinner with the Italian leading their head-to-head 2-1. The winner of their match will take on either Nuno Borges or Daniil Medvedev in the US Open quarterfinals.