Jordan Thompson On Facing Novak Djokovic: ‘It Is The Toughest Task In Tennis’ | ATP Tour | Tennis

Dealing with Novak Djokovic on Centre Court docket at Wimbledon has change into one of many greatest checks in sport previously decade. The Serbian has not misplaced a match on certainly one of tennis’ grandest levels since 2013, when Andy Murray defeated the World No. 2 within the remaining.

In search of a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title and record-equalling eighth general, it can take fairly a efficiency to cease the 36-year-old.

Australia’s Jordan Thompson is hoping he could be the participant to take action. The 29-year-old rallied from two-sets-to-love down towards Brandon Nakashima in his opening match to set a primary assembly towards Djokovic on Wednesday.

“Taking part in Novak is the hardest activity in tennis in the intervening time,” Thompson advised ATPTour.com forward of the conflict. “I do know you’ve gotten Rafa at Roland Garros. I’ve performed him in Paris and that was extremely powerful, however this up there. You’ll be able to take a look at his data and his stats. It is unbelievable. He has 23 Slams. The percentages are firmly in his favour.”

Whereas Djokovic enters the conflict because the heavy favorite, Thompson burdened the necessity for a constructive mindset. For those who stroll onto court docket with little perception, the battle might already be misplaced.

“I at all times stated in the event you do not consider you possibly can win, you should not exit within the court docket, in order foolish because it sounds, I’ve bought to consider I can win, in any other case there isn’t any level,” Thompson stated. “I will do all the pieces I can. I do know that he is arguably the very best participant of all time and I’m undoubtedly going to need to play the match of my life if I need win.”

Djokovic possesses watertight groundstrokes, a lethal serve and a monstrous big-match mentality. In brief, there are only a few, if any, holes in his sport. Thompson is hoping to assemble a sport plan after which execute a efficiency that may discover them.

“Novak would not look too uncomfortable in most matches,” Thompson stated. “I will take a look at tapes. Have a look at the blokes which have overwhelmed him right here earlier than and there is not a lot of these guys which have executed, however I’ve bought to do one thing that he will not expect.”

The Australian does have expertise of enjoying a Prime 5 star at Wimbledonhaving confronted Stefanos Tsitsipas within the second spherical final yr on Court docket 1. The 29-year-old suffered a disappointing straight units defeat that day however is hoping to study from the expertise when he meets Djokovic.

“I performed Tsitsipas on Court docket 1 and it wasn’t an important day on the workplace. He performed properly. I suppose he made me really feel strain and it actually affected my sport, however I’ve simply bought to do my greatest to remain calm and never let the event get to me,” Thompson stated.

The Australian, who enjoys watching rugby and cricket in his free time, has achieved good outcomes on grass throughout his profession. He superior to the ultimate on the ATP 250 occasion in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2019 and 2023 and reached the third spherical at Wimbledon in 2021.

“I do not know what it’s about grass. I simply love enjoying on it. I often say it is pink and it is not clay, so I take pleasure in being on the market,” Thompson stated, cracking a smile. “I’m not the largest man, so I’ve bought to depend on motion and abilities to win factors and simply doing something I can to throw my opponent off. I might say I play with a good bit of selection.”

Aiming to tug off the efficiency and win of his life towards Djokovic, Thompson will hope all areas of his grass-court sport click on on Wednesday towards the Serbian.