Hurkacz beats Paul, American blames cramps

American tennis player Tommy Paul expressed deep frustration after his physical condition deteriorated during a third-round loss to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon on Friday, July 3. The 21st seed fell 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-5, 6-2 in a match lasting over three hours on Court No. 2.

Paul, who had won his first two matches in straight sets, took the opening set but could not maintain his level as Hurkacz raised his game. The American said his legs grew "very, very tired" and that he began cramping in the fourth set, a development he called "unacceptable" for this stage of a Grand Slam. "You're playing Wimbledon. You want to be prepared," Paul said in a post-match press conference. "I feel like it's pretty unacceptable for your legs to fail you, especially this early in a Grand Slam. So I was very upset about that."

He credited Hurkacz's performance, noting his opponent served well and improved his forehand after the first set. Paul also critiqued his own serving, feeling he relied too much on his second serve, and said he began hitting the ball shorter, putting him on the defensive. The loss concludes a grass-court season that left Paul disappointed, despite reaching the final at...