Jordan Thompson primed for Brisbane International following sessions with Tony Roche

AUSTRALIAN Davis Cup player Jordan Thompson has forged his Brisbane International preparation on backbreaking hours at one of the country’s most historically significant home courts.

Australia's Jordan Thompson returns to Sam Querrey of the US during their men's singles second round tennis match at the ATP Aegon Championships tennis tournament at Queen's Club in west London on June 22, 2017. Querrey won 7-6, 3-6, 6-3. / AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK

AUSTRALIAN Davis Cup player Jordan Thompson has forged his Brisbane International preparation on backbreaking hours at one of the country’s most historically significant home courts.

Thompson trained for a few days in Melbourne early this month with his Davis Cup teammates but was also invited to practise at Tony Roche’s court in Sydney under the shrewd eye of one of the game’s most revered coaches.

Former world No. 1 Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt at times also worked at the court owned by Roche, Rafter’s personal coach and a long-serving Australian Davis Cup coach.

Thompson is ready to give the Brisbane International his very best.

Roche was also at cup ties this year at which Hewitt was captain and Jason Stoltenberg was coach.

“It was awesome for Tony to let me hit at his house — I listen to every word he says to me,’’ said Thompson, who has a wildcard into next week’s Brisbane International.

“He’s a legend of the game.

“Lleyton was down in Melbourne hitting with us as well so I’ve had some good work over the pre-season.’’

Thompson had his tonsils removed in November after tonsillitis flared twice during the last three months of a season where he ended ranked No. 94.

The Sydney right-hander’s ranking makes him a direct entry for the Australian Open, from January 15, at which he will look to further improve his reputation as a strong opponent over the best-of-five set format.

TROUBLE: Azarenka could miss Aus Open

VETERAN: Muller keen to begin again

“I’m back into the swing of things, having done a lot of work in the gym and getting my legs ready for those five setters,’’ he said.

“I don’t mind playing five sets. I’m fit enough to do it.’’

Thompson outlasted Portugal’s Joao Sousa, ranked No. 39, in the first round of the Australian Open after opening the year with a quarter-final run at the Brisbane International, at which he surprised world No. 21 David Ferrer.

The 23-year-old accelerated through a year in which he took the scalps of Andy Murray at Queen’s Club and Jack Sock at Australia’s Davis Cup win over the US in Brisbane while also having some early-round losses when a seed at Challenger events.

“It was a good year. I played more tour events than Challengers. I played all the Grand Slams and I played Davis Cup,’’ Thompson said.

“I didn’t get as many points as last year but I was able to stay in the top 100 and play at a high level.’’

Originally published as Jordan Thompson primed for Brisbane International following sessions with Tony Roche