LeBron James, a global basketball icon, was recently seen at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics, where he shared the spotlight with tennis players Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. The pair had the opportunity to be a part of the U.S. delegation alongside WTA star Coco Gauff, who served as a co-flagbearer with James. This unique placement allowed the tennis athletes to experience the ceremony firsthand with the basketball team.
Fritz expressed his excitement, stating, “It was really cool. It was awesome that Coco was a flagbearer, and it was awesome for all of us as well, because we did kind of get to experience the opening ceremonies a little bit differently than all the other Americans.” He described the moment as one of the highlights of his career.
During the ceremony, James, who contributed to the U.S. men’s basketball team’s gold medal win, even took a group photo with the tennis players. Paul shared his thoughts on the situation, noting their unique experience, “We were just riding the Coco Gauff train. We were only up there because of her, so it was cool seeing her have her moment.”
The tennis contingent, which included Fritz, Paul, Christopher Eubanks, and Marcos Giron, traveled to the ceremony together on the same bus as some of the best basketball players in the world. Paul remarked on the experience of sharing a bus with the basketball team, mentioning brief conversations he had with players like Jrue Holiday and Derrick White.
Both Fritz and Paul performed well in their singles matches at the Olympics, with Fritz reaching the third round and Paul making it to the quarter-finals. They also contributed to the U.S. tennis team’s success by securing a bronze medal in men’s doubles. As they return to competition at the Cincinnati Open, they carry with them unforgettable memories from the Olympic Games. Fritz reflected, “I think before the event even started, before we were able to medal, just that alone made me happy with my decision to go.”