Jill MacMillan Lives on a Farm with over a Hundred Animals – Get to Know Tommy Paul’s Mother
Jill MacMillan is tennis star Tommy Paul's mother, and she lives in a space far away from the spotlight, which also serves as her son's haven away from his life as a sports celebrity.
Jill MacMillan is a proud mother of three children, and among the kids, she has witnessed her son, Tommy Paul, go from a novice player to a global sensation in the world of tennis.
Despite her son's newfound fame and his recent victory, the young tennis superstar remains down-to-earth and even lends a hand with household chores on their farm.
Jill MacMillan watches the quarterfinal singles match between Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul during day ten of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. | Source: Getty Images
Jill MacMillan Lives Privately on a Farm
Jill lives on a farm in South Jersey with Tommy's stepfather. Her son is always happy to lend a hand with the farming work when he's not busy with his tennis matches. Tommy said:
"My mom and stepdad live on a farm in South Jersey, where they have roughly 100 chickens, six sheep, two dogs, a horse, and a cat."
Jill is known for keeping a low profile and leading a private life, but she occasionally makes appearances on her son's social media. On Instagram, her son often expresses how much he misses their home.
In Greenville, North Carolina, where Tommy grew up, Jill and her then-husband owned a health club, which included tennis courts.
Whenever her son returns home, they cherish every moment together as a family. They take sweet selfies, spend quality time together, and enjoy the company of their farm animals.
Jill MacMillan Once Flew to Australia for Her Son's Tennis Match
When her son cannot visit their home, Jill often goes on international journeys to support him. In January 2023, she left her home in New Jersey, headed straight to the airport, and flew to Australia to watch her son compete in the Australian Open.
During that tournament, her son faced off against fellow American tennis player Ben Shelton. Jill was captured in the stands beside Paige Lorenze, her son's girlfriend. Both passionately cheered him on.
Jill's journey to Australia proved worth it, as her son emerged victorious from the match. Her son became the first American semifinalist at the Australian Open in 14 years. The last person to achieve this far was Andy Roddick in 2009.
Jill MacMillan engages in a conversation with Tommy Paul's girlfriend Paige Lorenze a the 2023 Australian Open on January 25, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. | Source: Getty Images
Jill MacMillan Was Tommy's First Coach
In Greenville, North Carolina, where Tommy grew up, Jill and her then-husband owned a health club, which included tennis courts. An old woman whom they often called Grandma Betty was the one who gave Tommy his first racket.
Jill was his son's first coach. Her son began playing and winning tennis tournaments at the age of six, despite having little knowledge of the rules or how to keep score. She recalled that he just simply loved hitting the ball.
In addition to Tommy, Jill has two more children: her older daughter, Jessie, and another son, Dylan. Among her three kids, Tommy and Jessie both love playing tennis.
Paul and his older sister began spending their afternoons playing tennis at the local health club. Paul excelled and later became the junior French Open champion. Jessie would later go on to play collegiate tennis.
Having parents as their first teachers appears to be a common trend in the tennis community. Like Tommy, sisters Serena Williams and Venus Williams were taught tennis by their father, Richard Williams.
Additionally, Leonard François also took on the role of coach for his daughter, Naomi Osaka, who is currently navigating motherhood amid her tennis stardom.