THOMPSON 'ACTUALLY FELT HALF NORMAL' AS REMARKABLE WIMBY RUN CONTINUES
- Connor Joyce
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
Jordan Thompson has continued his inspirational Wimbledon week with his most convincing victory yet, a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 triumph over Italian Luciano Darderi.
Thompson, who came through consecutive five-setters across the opening two rounds, gave the Australian media little confidence in his body, but assured he’ll continue to fight until he physically cannot.
“There are movements I can't do, but the competitive juices are keeping me going. It's not just the back, it's everything,” Thompson said after his second-round victory.
However, the Aussie still took to the doubles court on his off-day on Thursday, not wanting to let his partner down, and appeared less physically hampered in his clash with Darderi.
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It earns Thompson a spot in the second week of Wimbledon, a feat he has never achieved before in the singles draw.
He has previously contested the fourth round at the US Open on two previous occasions, but never at the other three majors, and this one comes at a particularly remarkable time.
Thompson retired from his Wimbledon lead-up event in Queens and contemplated the prospect of time away, which he may have taken if not for Wimbledon
"I couldn’t finish the match, could barely walk, couldn’t bend down to get things out of my suitcase, didn’t hit for nearly two weeks,” Thompson said.
A fortnight or so on, he’s arguably having the best run of his tennis career.
“Two sets lover, bit different from the other day, so we’ll take it,” said Thompson, who escaped with a pair of five-set wins in the first two rounds.
“Today was actually a lot better. I don’t know why, but I actually felt half normal out on the court. So that was pleasing.
“It’s incredible… to do it under the circumstances at the moment is incredible.”
His hampered physical shape has caused Thompson to change his serve motion and movement, as he continues to rely on a back brace.
The world No.44 may not have the wheels like he normally does, but the fighting warrior has improvised exceptionally well.
Asked about how his body has felt so far, Thompson replied: “Far from normal going forward… pretty decent. Sideways? Not good. But haven’t really been moving sideways — just trying to get to the net.
“Anyone that’s watched me play in my career would say I’m probably one of the fastest guys on tour — and that’s not happening at the moment. But I’m just trying to find other ways to win points.
“No matter what percentage my body is at, I’m just going to do the best that I can.”
He later added: “Yeah, I had the back brace on… same old.
“Physically I’m fine. Fitness-wise, that’s not a problem… I’m not running out of gas in matches.”
Other players in Thompson’s position would likely throw in the towel and accept defeat, but as Alex de Minaur rightly pointed out after his second-round win, that’s not the “Australian culture.”
“Anyone that knows me knows that if we’re playing marbles or cards or something, I want to win — no matter what I’m doing,” Thompson explained.
“I’m not anywhere near 100 per cent and I’m still fighting my arse off every point.
“I’m busting my arse… and you look at the umpire and all they’ve got to do is call a let or get the score right, and they can’t get it right. It’s frustrating.”
Fifth-seed Taylor Fritz now stands in his way of a maiden quarter-final at a Grand Slam — something that was unthinkable before Day 1.
But Thompson will be aware that his upcoming American opponent also went through gruelling lengths in back-to-back five-setters and a four-set tussle in the third-round.
“I’m not going on the court if I don’t think I can win. That’s a pathetic outlook if I go out there thinking I can’t win,” he said.
“I won last time I was on grass — but very different grass, different circumstances. It’ll be a new day.
“He’s got a great serve, he’s rock solid… US Open [finalist] last year, top five player. He does everything quite well.”
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