A comeback Wimbledon win has booked Jordan Thompson a Centre Court showdown with defending champion Novak Djokovic that he admits could be “a dream or a nightmare”.
The Aussie battler came from two sets down to beat higher-ranked American Brandon Nakashima 2-6 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
That earned him a second round tilt at the 23-time grand slam winner who he believes may be “the best ever.”
Thompson has never played the Serb, but did face him across the net when a junior at the Australian Open around a decade ago.
Newly shaven, after a barber got carried away and Thompson decided he may as well finish the job, the usually hirsute 29-year-old joked, “I hit with him when I was a kid. I doubt he would remember – but maybe as I’ve shaved and got a haircut he might recognise me now.”
Thompson, ranked 70 in the world, believes he can beat the world No.2.
“I wouldn’t go out on the court if I didn’t think I could do damage. As silly as it sounds, I’ve got to believe that I can win otherwise there is no point going out there.
“I know the odds are firmly against me. But yeah, just get out and enjoy it and just have fun. It’s not every day you play Novak at Wimbledon.
“It could be a dream, or could be a nightmare. I’ve seen a few guys have nightmares out there against him on Centre Court, but hopefully that won’t be the case for me.
“I played Rafa (Nadal) at the French (Open) on (main court) Philippe Chatrier (losing 2-6 2-6 2-6 in 2022). I said at the end of the match to him, ‘it wasn’t fun, but it was an honour’.
“Hopefully, it’s a little bit more fun against Novak but I’m well aware that it might not be.”
Thompson said he’ll be asking advice from his friend and compatriot Nick Kyrgios, who lost in four sets to Djokovic in last year’s final.
“Nick’s beaten him a couple of times. He played him in the final and it wasn’t an easy match. As much as everyone thinks that Nick doesn’t have care in the game, he has a big tennis brain, so it’d be silly of me if I didn’t try to pick it.”
The prospect of facing Djokovic looked a distant one soon after midday on a wet and windy opening day with Thompson second-best to 55-ranked Nakashima.
Having lost seven games and 12 points in succession Thompson was two sets and a game down. But he won four of the next five games before taking the third set, then won the fourth on a tie-break.
In the decider the 29-year-old Sydneysider forced a break point to go 4-2 up only for the covers to come on with rain falling.
After a 90-minute wait Thompson won that point, then served out, leaping for joy after winning on his first match point.
Meanwhile, over on Centre Court Djokovic, under the roof, Djokovic was brushing aside Argentina’s Pedro Cachin 6-3 6-3 7-6 (7-4).
“Everything would suggest (Djokovic is the best ever), but there are so many guys,” added Thompson. Back in the day, [Australian great] Lew Hoad was the best – if you wanted someone to play for your life, you get Lew Hoad.
“But it’d be a tough one to go against Novak. He’s won 23 grand slams. He’s won this tournament seven times. He wouldn’t be a bad one if you had to get someone to play for you.”
Thompson, however, will be playing against him.
