Getting to know Jordan Thompson

London, UK, 21 June 2017 | tennis.com.au

Jordan Thompson has just scored the biggest win of his career, stunning world No.1 and defending champion Andy Murray in the opening round at Queen’s.

Just who is this 23-year-old Sydney talent? We’ve compiled some fast facts to help you get to know him better.

Currently ranked No.90, Jordan achieved a career-high singles ranking of No.63 in February. He set a new career-high doubles ranking this week, rising to No.81. Jordan started playing tennis when he was four with his father, a prominent tennis coach. Steven Thompson, who is based in the Sydney suburb of Cherrybrook, was awarded an Australian Tennis Award for Talent Development Coaching Excellence in 2016. As a junior Jordan’s best result was reaching the boys’ doubles final at the 2012 US Open alongside Nick Kyrgios. The duo teamed up again at the French Open earlier this month, where they knocked out the second seeds in a run to the third round. His victory over Andy Murray was his first match against a world No.1-ranked player and marks his first top 10 victory. His previous best win was against world No.15 Jack Sock in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in Brisbane in April. Remarkably the victory over Murray was also Thompson’s first grass court win at ATP level. Jordan is the first Australian player to beat Murray in an ATP-level singles match. He lists playing Davis Cup as one of his best career achievements. “I always wanted to play tennis for Australia and be in the Davis Cup team,” Jordan revealed after making his debut in February. He boasts an unbeaten record from the three singles rubbers he has played. His first Australian Davis Cup experience was as an orange boy in 2014 and his initiation involved him singing the Ylvis song “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” at the pre-tie formal dinner. His Australian Davis Cup team-mates have labelled him the healthiest member of the team. “He drinks apple juice at dinner,” John Peers revealed. Jordan is a huge rugby league fan and supports the West Tigers. He admits it is a sport he’d love to play professionally if he could: “I don’t think I’ve got the body frame to be a rugby league player, but I love the game.” Former world No.1, and now Australian Davis Cup captain, Lleyton Hewitt is his tennis idol. They played doubles together at Wimbledon last year, reaching the second round in what was Hewitt’s final professional appearance. Jordan is now coached by former Australian player Des Tyson, who won the Australian Tennis Award for High Performance Coaching Excellence in 2016. Jordan’s mantra is “hard work always pays off”. “I pride myself on working hard, practicing hard and getting in the gym,” he says. After making his Olympic debut in Rio last year, Jordan got the Australian Coat of Arms and Olympic rings tattooed on his right bicep to mark the milestone. In his spare time Jordan likes to surf YouTube, especially for tennis and rugby league highlights. “I just like to watch sports highlights,” he admits. Batman is his favourite superhero. “He doesn’t have any super powers, he’s just a man,” Jordan reasoned.