LeBron James, an iconic figure in sports, was spotted during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics alongside American tennis players Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. The duo, along with WTA star Coco Gauff, who served as a flagbearer for the United States, were given a prime position at the front of the American contingent.
Fritz expressed his excitement about the unique experience, noting how the presence of James and the basketball team heightened the moment. “It was really cool. It was awesome that Coco was a flagbearer, and it was awesome for all of us as well… It was one of the coolest experiences,” he shared with ATPTour.com during the Cincinnati Open, where he is seeded 11th.
James, who led the U.S. men’s basketball team to a gold medal, posed for a photo with the American tennis team, which included Fritz, Paul, Christopher Eubanks, and Marcos Giron. Paul reflected on the experience, mentioning how they were able to share the moment with Gauff. “It was cool seeing her have her moment,” he said.
The tennis players also shared a bus ride with the U.S. basketball team, which boasted some of the best talent in the world. Paul recounted the experience, sharing limited interactions with players like Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, while James mainly engaged with Gauff.
Both Fritz and Paul performed well during the tournaments, with Fritz reaching the third round in singles and Paul advancing to the quarter-finals. Additionally, the American team earned a bronze medal in men’s doubles, joining silver medalists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
As they prepare to compete in the Cincinnati Open, Fritz highlighted the significance of their Olympic experience, stating, “Before the event even started, just that alone made me happy with my decision to go.”