Jordan Thompson has never had a year like the one he is enjoying right now.
Hitting a career-high ranking for singles and doubles at age 30, Thompson also collected his first ATP singles title and a maiden Grand Slam doubles title at the US Open.
The Australian has played more professional matches in a season than ever before, yet he has been able to perform consistently all year, closing in on the singles top 30 as a result.
Taking some well-earned time off by the beach in his hometown of Sydney, Thompson joined The AO Show Weekly podcast to reflect on a year full of highlights.
“We’re not done yet. Although the body feels like it sometimes,” Thompson joked to fellow Aussie 30-year-old Storm Hunter on the panel.
“I think that it’s no doubt the best year of my career for singles and doubles. Plenty of matches have taken place this year for me, I think over 100, and over 50 for singles, so (I am) at home now getting a good rest in.”
Going deep in tournaments like never before, Thompson reached the final eight in four ATP events this year, equal to the number of ATP quarterfinals he’d reached in his previous 10 years on tour combined.
This includes one of the most memorable matches of his career – the Brisbane quarterfinal in January that kickstarted his standout season.
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“I sort of hit the ground running in Brisbane this year,” Thompson said.
“Playing one of my idols (Rafael Nadal) on home soil in a quarterfinal, Friday night in Brisbane, and the crowd was incredible.”
Sharing the court with the 22-time Grand Slam champion for what was to be his final match in Australia, Thompson caused a thrilling upset in three sets.
“Beating Rafa, I know he was coming back from injury, but I will remember that match for the rest of my life,” Thompson said. “I’ve got to pinch myself and think how lucky I am.”
Singles success carried over into Thompson’s doubles game this year, as he joined compatriot Max Purcell to become one of the world’s best duos.
Following a heartbreaking loss in the Wimbledon final, the pair immediately rebounded by going one better to lift the trophy at the US Open.
Thompson has skyrocketed to a career-high world No.5 in doubles, but he admitted that while the US Open title was special, the singles game is still what drives him.
“I don’t think anything will match the feeling of winning my first title in Mexico (Los Cabos),” Thompson said.
“To win a title at 29 and now playing at 30, getting to my career-high rankings in singles and doubles, it just goes to show that no matter how long you stick at it, if you put your mind to it, things can happen.”
Thompson will return to Europe to complete his season, starting with the Paris Masters, before heading to Turin for doubles in the ATP Finals, and then the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga.
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