Athlete welfare

Tommy Paul arrived at the French Open with familiar concerns of any Grand Slam contender—preparing for formidable opponents, adjusting to clay conditions, and managing the mental load of competing on tennis’s grandest stage. Yet this year, Paul faced an unexpected off-court drama that rivaled the intensity of his first-round matchup: the sudden repossession of his beloved Ford F-150. The American No. 12 seed pulled off a four-set victory over Danish qualifier Elmer Møller on Sunday, but he may have celebrated just as much when he regained his truck. In a tale that spanned continents and bank transfers, Paul’s week combined the tension of high-stakes tennis with the absurdity of a “midnight repo” episode worthy of reality TV.