Thompson and O’Connell thrive through mutual support at Wimbledon

Aussie mates Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell share historical past as juniors, lodging at Wimbledon – and parallel ambitions of their 2023 campaigns.

London, Nice Britain, 1 July 2023 | Vivienne Christie

As eight Australian males take their place in the primary draw at Wimbledon, the spirit of camaraderie is robust.

“Aussies follow different Aussies,” stated Jordan Thompson who’s pleased to share lodging with Chris O’Connell this 12 months.

The careers of the shut mates and fellow Sydneysiders have lengthy been entwined.

Each aged 29, they competed usually as juniors.

“The primary time we ever performed one another was after we have been eight, so we’ve identified one another for a very very long time,” O’Connell stated.

“He acquired into the highest 100 sooner than me, so it’s fairly cool that I’m now within the high 100 and enjoying these tournaments. It’s feeling.”

Chris O’Connell and Jordan Thompson compete within the AO 2011 junior boys doubles; Getty Photos

So too is the broader camaraderie among the many Australian males’s contingent, which alongside 9 top-100 gamers, consists of James Duckworth and Rinky Hijikata on the cusp of the elite group.

Each Thompson and O’Connell respect the success-breeds-success impact.

“We’re all pushing one another ahead,” stated Thompson. “I imply, everybody doing nicely pushes everybody else.”

Requested if these 9 males created a rivalry among the many Australians, O’Connell had a extra constructive take.

“It’s like form of rivalry … if you wish to name it that,” he stated.

“However when one Aussie has outcome, you’re like ‘I can try this’ after which I’ve outcome and another person has outcome.

“It’s simply been occurring all 12 months. I assume it’s factor that there’s so many Aussies within the high 100.”

As they ready for his or her respective main-draw campaigns at Wimbledon, each Sydneysiders had created a robust platform for achievement.

> READ: Singles draws revealed for Wimbledon 2023

Whereas Thompson’s 2023 grass-court season options 9 match wins – together with a second ATP finals look in ‘s-Hertogenbosch – O’Connell was a quarterfinalist in Stuttgart and is sitting at a peak world No.70 rating.

It fuels his ambitions in a second main-draw Wimbledon marketing campaign. “Once I broke the highest 100, I used to be within the 90s (and) I wished to get into the 80s. After which after I was within the 80s, I’m like ‘Okay, I can get into the 70s now’. Now I’m 70 on the dot and now I wish to get into the 60s.

“You’re consistently wanting to enhance however clearly a aim can be high 50 for positive.”

Thompson might be aiming for a profitable begin towards world No.51 American Brandon Nakashima, whereas O’Connell faces Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic.

“(Medjedovic) should be fairly first rate as a result of he’s certified. It’s powerful to do this at any Grand Slam, however on the grass as nicely,” stated O’Connell, who was additionally a qualifier at Wimbledon 2021, when he pushed Gael Monfils to 5 units.

“He certified fairly convincingly, so he’s going to be free-swinging, like I felt I used to be a few years in the past enjoying Monfils first spherical.”

Ought to he progress over Nakashima, Thompson faces a probable second-round contest with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic. Whereas it’s a frightening risk, the usually laid-back Australian has a constructive strategy.

“I imply, as silly because it sounds. You bought to imagine that you could win,” Thompson reasoned. “In the event you’re occurring the court docket and also you assume you’re going to lose, there’s no level going out.”

If further help is required, the pair can lean on one another, in addition to their shared pleased recollections of competing on grass.

O’Connell recalled competing at Australian nationwide occasions in Mildura. “Me and Jordan would really go collectively, our dads would take us there. Have a bit journey to Mildura,” he stated.

As they replicate on these recollections, the 2 Sydneysiders are additionally proudly supporting one another.

“He’s having his greatest season. He’s received a whole lot of matches and overwhelmed some nice gamers,” stated Thompson of O’Connell. “There’s no cause why we shouldn’t be searching for him.”

And a good-natured O’Connell is equally conscious – and skilled – of the hazards his mate presents.

“I believe I received the very first match (as an eight-year-old) however then he’s had my quantity ever since!” he laughed.

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