Jordan Thompson says success is coming for large group of Aussies in the top 100
There’s a big push coming from Aussies in 2024 after a swag of players made their presence felt at Melbourne Park.
Just one Aussie man has made it through to the third round, so far, at the Australian Open with growing expectations of a deep push from Alex de Minaur.
But with a strong core of the beaten local brigade having made their presence felt at Melbourne Park the next gen of players are “pushing each other” to make more worldwide impact in 2024.
Alexei Popyrin achieved a career-high ranking in 2023 and after taking a set off world No.1 and 10-time Australian Open champ Novak Djokovic on Wednesday night served notice that he was a player to be reckoned with.
Then on Thursday it took a 10-point fifth set tiebreak for 11th seed Casper Ruud to take down Aussie Max Purecell who launched himself in to the world top 50 in 2023
They are two of eight Aussie men currently ranked in the top 100, a cohort which also includes Jordan Thompson who pushed seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, also taking a set off the Greek star in their second round clash.
Thompson, now ranked 43 on the ATP live rankings, said the “positive signs” from the strong group of Australians now making an impact on tour could mean some strong success in 2024.
“Yeah, we’ve got a lot of guys. When I came in and did my cool-down, I saw Alexei was a set all and three set points in a row,” Thompson said after his loss.
“Didn’t quite get there. I mean, that’s positive signs too. He has the World No. 1 on the ropes.
“We’re all pressing forward. Macksie (Max Purcell) got a win yesterday. Rinky (Hijikata), Kubes (Jason Kubler). They’re all playing quality tennis, and we’re all pushing each other, which is very positive.
There were 15 Aussie men in the draw when the Open began, and six won their opening round matches, with Thanasi Kokkinakis getting his chance on Thursday to join de Minaur in the third round.
Of the defeated group, Adam Walton and Omar Jasika were the only Aussies to lose in straight sets.
Rinky Hijikata, Dane Sweeny and James Duckworth all pushed their opponents to five sets. The two all-Aussie opening round matches also both went the distance.
Pop, Pop, it’s SHOWTIME 🎇 @AlexeiPopyrin99@ANZ_AU • #ANZFinancialWellbeing • #WhatASave@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennispic.twitter.com/VRRsUp53VX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2024
Thompson, who took down fellow Aussie Aleksandar Vukic first then took Tsitsipas, to four sets, was confident his tennis was “at a higher level” than it had ever been and suggested his capacity to compete with the world’ best players was one going to grow.
“I’ve lost to good players this summer. It’s been a positive summer,” he said.
“Shame to not get through to the third round. This slam still eludes me of that. That’s disappointing.
“Yeah, my tennis is at a higher level than it was last year, I guess.”
Thompson was confident de Minaur would last a long way in to the second week of the tournament.
“I haven’t seen his draw, but he’s a top-10’er now, and he is going deep in a lot of Grand Slams,” he said.
“I think he can keep going deeper and deeper if he keeps at it, and I know he will. He is a fighter. He always shows up.
“Yeah, I hope he does.”
AUSSIES IN THE TOP 100
(ranking before the Australian Open)
10 - Alex de Minaur
43 - Alexei Popyrin
45 - Max Purcell
47 - Jordan Thompson
64 - Aleksandar Vukic
68 - Christopher O’Connell
71 -Rinky Hijikata
80 - Thanasi Kokkinakis
95 -James Duckworth
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