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Tennis player delivers shot of the year contender

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Feb 4, 2025 11:00 PM ET

It’s only February, but Tommy Paul has already delivered a shot of the year contender.

Paul was facing Jenson Brooksby in the first round of the Dallas Open on Tuesday. He was serving in the second set and went out wide to begin the point, and then the two traded groundstrokes. Paul then hit a ball up the line and charged the net. Brooksby hit a lob over Paul’s head, and Paul raced back. He then hit something between an overhead and forehand for a spectacular winner. Take a look at the video.

Tommy Paul with a SHOT OF THE YEAR contender in Dallas.

Backwards facing slap shot passing shot winner.

He’s kind of crazy for trying it… but even more crazy for pulling it off.

pic.twitter.com/8RNx3F5lpP

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 4, 2025

That was a great play, and Brooksby could only applaud Paul for the shot.

Brooksby took the first set 7-6 but then dropped the next two as Paul rallied for the win, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Fans were surprised that Brooksby had given Paul such a good run for his money.

Pretty amazing to see Jenson Brooksby go from winning just 6 games against JJ Wolf in the first round of a Challenger to pushing Tommy Paul to a third set in an ATP 500 in just the span of a week…

Tennis man

— US Tennis Center (@USTennisCenter) February 4, 2025

Tommy Paul trying to blast everything by Brooksby is hilarious. Guy doesn't realize that there's a plethora of free points if he hits the dropper. Brooksby isn't going to get to it.

— TennisPicks (@TennisPicks2024) February 4, 2025

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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