Quinn relishing the pack mentality

The soaring American nodded and as suggested, did laugh: “It’s fair. I wouldn’t say I’m the typical 21-year-old. I feel I can be too uptight, several guys on tour tell me to let loose more.

“For the most part I get to bed early, stay at home, I’m looking for the best possible restaurants – that’s the ideal big night out for me.

“In my phone notes sheet, I started this year, I have a pretty extensive list of restaurants from Rome, Madrid, Barcelona and now Paris I want to go to, or I’ve been to.

“I’ll review them, what food I thought was good, what I didn’t like. It’s something a little strange for my age, rather than going out and clubbing, for sure that could be fun.

“Saying that, making third or fourth round at Roland-Garros is a little bit cooler I think.”

Adding to the image of a 55-year-old, Quinn searches out antique stores and bonds with Garber over vintage watches.

The world No.106, who will crack the top 100 following his breakout Roland-Garros, hasn’t yet had time to explore what gems Paris has to offer. However, he’s open to thanking his coach with a timepiece to mark a milestone trip.

“Man, I think he would be deserving of one if we win another round. I’d just have to figure out the right watch, I wouldn’t want to get him anything,” said the calm and calculated Quinn.

“It would have to be picked out, the right one!”

Last season was a testing time for Quinn. The wins just weren’t coming and the confidence was sinking rapidly. During RG 2024, Garber took Quinn over to Europe for five weeks on the clay and the Fresno, California, native didn’t win a single match.

During a training block just prior to the US Open, Tommy Paul asked Quinn if he’d ever won a match playing his worst tennis. The 21-year-old couldn’t conjure up an answer.

“What Tommy was getting at is a lot of the time on tour, you’re not going to be playing your best level. Plenty of matches you’ll be playing your C level, your B level and the guys at the top can still win with that,” continued Quinn.

“Realistically, I’m not going to have 20 days this year where I’m playing my absolute best level. Unfortunately last year, if I wasn’t playing my best, I was out.

“Since Tommy brought light to that mentality, I think there has been a huge shift, where I’ve won matches with my B,C,D level tennis.

“That’s a big reason I’ve won a lot more matches this season, going in to compete every match and not worrying about the result. Even if I’m not playing well, I can still leave the court proud if I competed. That can be a great development day.”

The mental shift, combined with extensive work on and off the court, has propelled the American into the limelight in 2025.

Take his European clay campaign. He ousted Corentin Moutet and Borna Coric to qualify in Barcelona. Next up, Quinn qualified for the Madrid Masters and reached the second round.

“This year I’m definitely a bit more comfortable on the clay, we worked a lot on my movement and the results are a testament to our hard work in the weeks leading to coming over to here (Europe),” suggested Quinn.

“Overall, it’s the mentality aspect, I was really excited about coming over here to play on the clay. Over the years, you’ve heard a lot of Americans saying they don’t want to come to Europe, they’re going to hate it on the clay.

“For me, the team, we view it as an exciting time, we get to go to these amazing, historic cities. I get to be in Paris, competing in a sport I love and having such an amazing job. That perspective has helped a lot.”

Back to Barcelona and Quinn was drawn against reigning Roland-Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz in the main draw, putting up a gallant effort before the Spaniard won 6-2, 7-6(6).

“I had a set point in the second and that was really cool. I lost it, but it was on my racket and I couldn’t quite execute,” said the stars and stripes prodigy.

“You could probably say at the end of his career he’ll be one of the best of all time on the clay. To be able to walk off the court, knowing I can compete with him, or anyone on what isn’t my preferred surface, it’s really encouraging."

Quinn’s set up includes renowned coach Brad Stine, who leads Paul, acting as a constant mentor, while players interchange in training squads. On the road it’s usually Quinn, Paul and Aleksandar Kovacevic.

“The dynamic helps a lot, it reminds me a lot of college tennis, having a team around you," stated Quinn.

“My best practice this year was with Tommy in Florida, the day before coming to Europe and it was really physical. Tommy told me: ‘Dude, you’re doing great.’ That was very reassuring to not just come from the coaches, but from a guy playing at the very top level.

“When I moved to Boca (Florida) I was trying to find my place in the pack, but now after being there for two years I feel really settled with this group.”

A former world No.1 has found her way into this dynamic collective too.  

“Victoria Azarenka is now part of the pack, she’s a new addition as of December. It’s nice to have her insights, she’s a Grand Slam champion, she knows it all,” said the American.

“She really enjoys talking trash with us, she’s kinda one of the guys with us too.”

The world No.106 made his Grand Slam debut at US Open 2023, but has truly exemplified his development in Paris. So much so, on Thursday the qualifier fought past Alexander Shevchenko 7-5 in the deciding set of a gruelling four-and-a-half-hour tug of war.

“Exhilarating. Qualifying into a Slam for the first time is a rollercoaster of emotions. To go through the first round with Grigor (Dimitrov) unfortunately getting injured was another weird, emotional rollercoaster,” added Quinn.

“Grigor told me at the net, ‘Man, take advantage of this opportunity.’ Fortunately, I did just that against Shevchenko. All I had in the back of my mind was ‘How could I take advantage of this opportunity?’ That match was just wild.

“Staying one match at a time really helps me. (Tallon) Griekspoor is going to be really tough. He’s an unbelievable competitor, so I’m really looking forward to that match.”