Jordan Thompson on His Career-Best Form, "Pink Chicken" in Romania, and the Unreal Reality of Life on Tour
In the third installment of Deuce, hosts Julie Snook and AP welcomed Australian tennis star Jordan Thompson to the Fanatics Clubhouse. Fresh off a career-best season that saw him break into the world’s top 30, Thompson provided a rare, unvarnished look at the mental and physical toll of the professional circuit. The conversation moved quickly from the prestige of being a seeded player at the Australian Open to the gritty reality of surviving "shit hole" tournaments in rural Europe.
The "Three-Minute" Preseason and the Mental Grind
Thompson opened up about the punishing nature of the tennis calendar, describing the professional preseason as a "bit of a joke". With the Davis Cup running late into November, players are often left with just three weeks to rest and recalibrate before the new season begins in December. Despite the exhaustion, Thompson reflected on 2024 as a landmark year, highlighted by his victory over Rafael Nadal in Brisbane: a win he joked "killed off" the Spaniard’s final Australian campaign.
However, the highs were balanced by a devastating "Wimbledon nightmare." Thompson admitted he was "shattered" after losing the doubles final despite having three match points, a loss that haunted his dreams until he found redemption at the US Open. He noted that the only way to "dust himself off" was to get straight back onto the singles court to distract himself from the disappointment.
Survival Stories: From Propeller Planes to Pink Chicken
While fans see the glamour of Grand Slams, Thompson was quick to remind the audience of the "brutal" path through the Futures circuit. He shared a harrowing story from a tournament in Bacau, Romania, over a decade ago. After arriving on a tiny propeller plane to find a hotel room covered in dust and a shower with no head, Thompson spent the week living on fruit and Gatorade from a convenience store. "If I had a meal that was chicken, I’d take a bite and make sure it wasn't pink inside every single time," he recalled, describing the experience as essential character building.
The Logistics of a Suitcase Life
Thompson offered a fascinating glimpse into the day to day administration of a pro athlete. While his agent handles transport and accommodation via a dedicated ATP portal, Thompson still books his own flights: a task the hosts found surprisingly risky for a top tier athlete.
A self-diagnosed "neat freak," Thompson revealed he never actually unpacks his bags at tournaments, preferring to live out of a suitcase with clothes "folded immaculately" to maintain a clean mind. He also touched on the less glamorous side of travel, including his frustration with airline status credits and the reality that most of his "world tour" consists of seeing nothing but airports, hotels, and tennis courts.
The Return of Nick Kyrgios
The conversation inevitably turned to the upcoming Australian summer and the return of Nick Kyrgios. Thompson, who will enter the Australian Open as a seeded player for the first time, described Kyrgios as a "freak" with "unlimited power". Having recently practised with him, Thompson warned that Kyrgios is already playing at an incredibly high level despite two years off the tour. "He was toying with me," Thompson admitted, though he expressed concern over the "Redemption Story" pressure being placed on Kyrgios by local media.
Footy, Fast Food, and Staying Level-Headed
Despite his global success, Thompson remains deeply connected to his roots. He spoke with genuine passion about his "best day ever" training with the West Tigers NRL side and his childhood idol, Brett Hodgson: the only person he has ever asked for an autograph. When asked how he deals with the occasional arrogance of the tour, Thompson’s take was characteristically blunt: "Some guys are delusional... just because you’re good at hitting a tennis ball doesn’t mean shit".
Whether he is avoiding royal family members at Wimbledon to go for lunch or treating himself to a Mario Kart toy from the Nintendo shop, Thompson’s focus remains firmly on the court and the simple pleasure of an ocean swim back home in Sydney.
Watch the full episode on FanaticsTV.
