Aussie tennis gun Jordan Thompson said he is "still waiting for the call" for him to join his beloved Wests Tigers for a training session.
Thompson has been in sensational form in the lead up to the Australian Open, and even beat Rafael Nadal in an epic at the Brisbane International last week.
In his first round match at the Adelaide International on Tuesday, Thompson was again in fine touch, smoking Argentine Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-2, 6-2.
READ MORE: Top Aussie crashes out of qualifying after AO snub
READ MORE: Wimbledon champion's untimely AO injury scare
READ MORE: Kokkinakis blames 'lemons' for ugly first round loss
To go with the four service breaks, Thompson also won 27 points against Diaz Acosta's serve.
In his post-match courtside interview with Wide World of Sports commentator Peter Psaltis, Thompson revealed he had been putting an increased focus on his fitness ahead of his home swing.
"I did a little bit of running against this one guy last week," Thomson said referring to Nadal.
"I've been working hard, and it's good to get these results after working hard."
During the ATP Tour's suspension during the height of the pandemic, Thompson began a gruelling 400m sprint regime that he continues today.
"There's no point doing it half-arsed," he said.
Thompson has been keeping an upbeat and positive vibe throughout his Australian Open preparation.
It was a point picked up on by Psaltis, who asked if Thompson was going to attempt to pass those vibes on to coach Benji Marshall, or even score a gig in his coaching staff.
"I've got full faith in Benji … maybe I'll come as a cheerleader," he said with a laugh.
"I just hope they go well and don't get that dreaded spoon."
Watch the 2024 Adelaide International exclusively live and free on Nine, 9Now and ad-free on Stan Sport.
Thompson said he also knew the Tigers' physio, and was hopeful of a phone call while in Australia to take part in a training session.
Thompson will face Italian world No.15 Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16.
Elsewhere, Chris O'Connell cruised past Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-4, and Alex Bolt beat Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3, 6-2.
O'Connell will next face Russian Alexander Shevchenko in the round of 16, while Bolt faces a tough challenge, taking on top-seeded American Tommy Paul.
Taking the place of compatriot Alexei Popyrin who pulled out of the Adelaide event with a glute injury, Adam Walton was pumped by No.7 seed Jiri Lehecka 6-1, 6-3.
Rinky Hijikata was also done in straight sets by the oldest man playing in Adelaide this week, Dan Evans 6-3, 6-4.
James McCabe was also outclassed by Alexander Bublik 6-2, 6-3.
On the women's side, there are no Aussies left after 18-year-old Australian Open wildcard recipient Taylah Preston lost to French world No.20 Caroline Garcia.
After losing the first set, Preston rallied in the second, breaking the world No.20 twice and looked a chance to cause the upset of the summer.
But Garcia rallied in the decider to hold off the plucky teen and seal a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory.
Aussie tennis gun Jordan Thompson said he is "still waiting for the call" for him to join his beloved Wests Tigers for a training session.
Thompson has been in sensational form in the lead up to the Australian Open, and even beat Rafael Nadal in an epic at the Brisbane International last week.
In his first round match at the Adelaide International on Tuesday, Thompson was again in fine touch, smoking Argentine Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-2, 6-2.
READ MORE: Top Aussie crashes out of qualifying after AO snub
READ MORE: Wimbledon champion's untimely AO injury scare
READ MORE: Kokkinakis blames 'lemons' for ugly first round loss
To go with the four service breaks, Thompson also won 27 points against Diaz Acosta's serve.
In his post-match courtside interview with Wide World of Sports commentator Peter Psaltis, Thompson revealed he had been putting an increased focus on his fitness ahead of his home swing.
"I did a little bit of running against this one guy last week," Thomson said referring to Nadal.
"I've been working hard, and it's good to get these results after working hard."
During the ATP Tour's suspension during the height of the pandemic, Thompson began a gruelling 400m sprint regime that he continues today.
"There's no point doing it half-arsed," he said.
Thompson has been keeping an upbeat and positive vibe throughout his Australian Open preparation.
It was a point picked up on by Psaltis, who asked if Thompson was going to attempt to pass those vibes on to coach Benji Marshall, or even score a gig in his coaching staff.
"I've got full faith in Benji … maybe I'll come as a cheerleader," he said with a laugh.
"I just hope they go well and don't get that dreaded spoon."
Watch the 2024 Adelaide International exclusively live and free on Nine, 9Now and ad-free on Stan Sport.
Thompson said he also knew the Tigers' physio, and was hopeful of a phone call while in Australia to take part in a training session.
Thompson will face Italian world No.15 Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16.
Elsewhere, Chris O'Connell cruised past Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-4, and Alex Bolt beat Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3, 6-2.
O'Connell will next face Russian Alexander Shevchenko in the round of 16, while Bolt faces a tough challenge, taking on top-seeded American Tommy Paul.
Taking the place of compatriot Alexei Popyrin who pulled out of the Adelaide event with a glute injury, Adam Walton was pumped by No.7 seed Jiri Lehecka 6-1, 6-3.
Rinky Hijikata was also done in straight sets by the oldest man playing in Adelaide this week, Dan Evans 6-3, 6-4.
James McCabe was also outclassed by Alexander Bublik 6-2, 6-3.
On the women's side, there are no Aussies left after 18-year-old Australian Open wildcard recipient Taylah Preston lost to French world No.20 Caroline Garcia.
After losing the first set, Preston rallied in the second, breaking the world No.20 twice and looked a chance to cause the upset of the summer.
But Garcia rallied in the decider to hold off the plucky teen and seal a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory.
https://ift.tt/SZOhsaW//
No comments:
Post a Comment