Jordan Thompson's Australian Open build-up has been clouded after he was forced to retire in his Brisbane International quarter-final with injury. Set to be seeded for the first time at his home grand slam, the world No.26 received treatment to his right calf before pulling the pin, down 6-1 2-1 citing foot pain, to defending champion Grigor Dimitrov on Friday.
Thompson enjoyed the best year of his career in 2024 and began in similar fashion this week, with fighting victories against Matteo Berrettini and Alex Michelsen to again reach the final eight in Brisbane. But, in superb form, world No.10 Dimitrov was offering no favours as he controlled the points and left Thompson wincing as he scrambled side-to-side.
The Australian Open begins on January 12. "It's very unfortunate for him, I hope he's ready for the Aussie Open," Dimitrov said. "From the beginning I felt like I was in control .
.. all those things, they're giving me a lot of confidence.
" Dimitrov will play Jiri Lehecka in one semi-final, while Novak Djokovic faces Reilly Opelka later on Friday night for a spot on the other side of the draw. Big-serving French rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Czech Jakub Mensik will play in the other quarter-final..
