Jordan Thompson has issued an ominous statement of intent for 2025: no matter the position, no matter the early setbacks, he will not die wondering.
Thompson’s thrilling 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 Monday takedown of Matteo Berrettini at Pat Rafter Arena is the latest chapter in a career breakthrough more than a decade in the making.
The 30-year-old, set for his first grand slam seeding at the Australian Open, produced a performance typical of his character to open his Brisbane International account: tough, gritty and enthralling.
Thompson celebrates on court as he pulls ahead in Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images
On the same court where he conquered the legendary Rafael Nadal in January, Thompson overcame an early onslaught from the Italian – defying clinical forehands down the line and a near-flawless serve in the opening set to prevail.
Berrettini, the former world No.6 and Wimbledon finalist before injuries curtailed his ascent, challenged the hometown hero throughout. The Australian regularly sent his shots long in the first set, ultimately costing him the first break of serve.
Even luck seemed against Thompson – at one stage on the receiving end of a return which hammered into the net, only to limply touch the line over his head.
“At that point in time, I was just thinking, everything you are touching is just turning into gold,” Thompson said with a wry grin.
But as he so often does, he fought – breaking his rival twice to clinch the second set, before doing so once more in the third en route to victory to finish the most defining year of his career.
“He was playing well, and it seemed like everything was going his way – he was serving at such a high percentage,” Thompson said.
“But in saying that, the game I got broken [in the first set] I just made three loose errors – probably uncharacteristic errors – and it cost me.
“It’s tough, when a guy’s that big and serving that well, just to try and build some rhythm.”
Jordan Thompson’s 2024 highlights
- Los Cabos Open winner (maiden ATP singles title)
- US Open doubles champion (first grand slam title)
- Wimbledon doubles finalist
- US Open singles fourth round (second time in his career reaching the second week of a grand slam)
- Paris Masters quarterfinalist (first Masters final eight appearance)
- Three other ATP quarterfinal appearances and a semi-final run at the Brisbane International
- Biggest singles wins: Top 10 stars Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud (twice) and Rafael Nadal
It ends a dream 2024 for Thompson, who spent 11 years toiling on the global circuit showing signs of his promise without truly harnessing his potential.
But his triumph over Nadal, his “childhood idol”, proved the catalyst for a remarkable rise to No.26 in the world.
Come the Brisbane clash with Berrettini, currently ranked No. 34, Thompson was far from his best.
However, for all the animated yelling and gesturing he sent towards his coach’s box, he was willing to mix up his game, changing where he stood near the baseline late as Berrettini went to serve while eagerly attacking the net.
But, as he prepares to face American rising star Alex Michelsen in the Brisbane International’s second round, he pledged his heroics of this year would simply lay the foundation for a more palpable 2025.
“I hope so, I mean everyone on tour is so good, and it feels like every match is nearly a 50-50 battle,” Thompson said.
“I was playing Berrettini … I don’t know how he’s not seeded. This is one of the strongest tournaments of the year, it always is, so it’s good practice for Melbourne.
“In the last couple of years it’s been my mindset [which has changed]. I’ve been guilty of just being complacent and making balls and just competing and relying on my legs and my wheels to try and make points.
“Now, I’m trying to be more aggressive and take the game on a bit more.”
