Aussie mates Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell share historical past as juniors, lodging at Wimbledon – and parallel ambitions of their 2023 campaigns.

London, Nice Britain, 1 July 2023 | Vivienne Christie

As eight Australian males take their place in the primary draw at Wimbledon, the spirit of camaraderie is robust.

“Aussies keep on with different Aussies,” stated Jordan Thompson who’s comfortable to share lodging with Chris O’Connell this yr.

The careers of the shut mates and fellow Sydneysiders have lengthy been entwined.

Each aged 29, they competed typically as juniors.

“The primary time we ever performed one another was after we had been eight, so we’ve recognized one another for a very very long time,” O’Connell stated.

“He acquired into the highest 100 sooner than me, so it’s fairly cool that I’m now within the prime 100 and enjoying these tournaments. It’s a very good feeling.”

Chris O’Connell and Jordan Thompson compete within the AO 2011 junior boys doubles; Getty Pictures

So too is the broader camaraderie among the many Australian males’s contingent, which alongside 9 top-100 gamers, contains James Duckworth and Rinky Hijikata on the cusp of the elite group.

Each Thompson and O’Connell respect the success-breeds-success impact.

“We’re all pushing one another ahead,” stated Thompson. “I imply, everybody doing effectively pushes everybody else.”

Requested if these 9 males created a rivalry among the many Australians, O’Connell had a extra optimistic take.

“It’s like a very good form of rivalry … if you wish to name it that,” he stated.

“However when one Aussie has a very good end result, you’re like ‘I can do this’ after which I’ve a very good end result and another person has a very good end result.

“It’s simply been taking place all yr. I assume it’s a very good factor that there’s so many Aussies within the prime 100.”

As they ready for his or her respective main-draw campaigns at Wimbledon, each Sydneysiders had created a powerful platform for fulfillment.

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Whereas Thompson’s 2023 grass-court season options 9 match wins – together with a second ATP finals look in ‘s-Hertogenbosch – O’Connell was a quarterfinalist in Stuttgart and is sitting at a peak world No.70 rating.

It fuels his ambitions in a second main-draw Wimbledon marketing campaign. “After I broke the highest 100, I used to be within the 90s (and) I needed to get into the 80s. After which once I was within the 80s, I’m like ‘Okay, I can get into the 70s now’. Now I’m 70 on the dot and now I need to get into the 60s.

“You’re always wanting to enhance however clearly a aim can be prime 50 for positive.”

Thompson will probably be aiming for a profitable begin towards world No.51 American Brandon Nakashima, whereas O’Connell faces Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic.

“(Medjedovic) should be fairly first rate as a result of he’s certified. It’s robust to do this at any Grand Slam, however on the grass as effectively,” stated O’Connell, who was additionally a qualifier at Wimbledon 2021, when he pushed Gael Monfils to 5 units.

“He certified fairly convincingly, so he’s going to be free-swinging, like I felt I used to be a few years in the past enjoying Monfils first spherical.”

Ought to he progress over Nakashima, Thompson faces a possible second-round contest with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic. Whereas it’s a frightening chance, the usually laid-back Australian has a optimistic method.

“I imply, as silly because it sounds. You bought to consider which you can win,” Thompson reasoned. “In the event you’re occurring the court docket and also you suppose you’re going to lose, there’s no level going out.”

If additional assist is required, the pair can lean on one another, in addition to their shared comfortable reminiscences of competing on grass.

O’Connell recalled competing at Australian nationwide occasions in Mildura. “Me and Jordan would really go collectively, our dads would take us there. Have somewhat journey to Mildura,” he stated.

As they replicate on these reminiscences, the 2 Sydneysiders are additionally proudly supporting one another.

“He’s having his greatest season. He’s received a number of matches and overwhelmed some nice gamers,” stated Thompson of O’Connell. “There’s no cause why we shouldn’t be looking for him.”

And a good-natured O’Connell is equally conscious – and skilled – of the hazards his mate presents.

“I believe I received the very first match (as an eight-year-old) however then he’s had my quantity ever since!” he laughed.

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