Rafael Nadal vs Jordan Thompson score, result, highlights from ATP Brisbane International as Spanish star is beaten in three-set marathon

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Joe Wright
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Rafael Nadal
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Rafael Nadal lost for the first time since his return to the ATP Tour as home favourite Jordan Thompson won a gruelling quarterfinal match at the Brisbane International.

Nadal took the opening set and squandered match points in the second before falling to a 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 3-6 defeat to the world number 55 over almost three and a half hours of energy-sapping tennis.

The Spanish great was playing in his first tournament in practically a full year, having taken the rest of 2023 off to recover from injury following his defeat to Mackenzie McDonald at last year's Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal vs Jordan Thompson result

  Set 1 Set 2 Set 3
Nadal 7 6 (6) 3
Thompson 5 7 (8) 6

The 22-time grand slam champion beat Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler in his first matches in Queensland and appeared to be on his way to a semifinal matchup with Grigor Dimitrov after taking the opening set. Having seen his serve broken for the first time all tournament, Nadal broke back in the next game and applied enough pressure at the key moments to take the set.

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Thompson, though, refused to compromise on his bold approach even when the match threatened to get away from him. Unusually for a Nadal match, the Spaniard was second best in the longer rallies and found it hard to get to grips with Thompson's occasional serve-and-volley tactic.

At 5-4 in the second set, Nadal had a chance to win the contest, but a backhand overhead of the kind he had put away earlier in the week ended up in the net. Two more match points followed in the tie-break, but two more misses let Thompson off the hook. When the Australian got his chance, he caught the line with a smash and promptly roared to the crowd.

At this point, both men looked sapped of energy, but it was Nadal who, perhaps understandably, seemed to be feeling the effects a little more. A couple of tired points at 1-2 in the decider let Thompson claim what proved to be the decisive break with another brave forehand-and-drive-volley combination.

Nadal left the court for a medical timeout, worrying those fans who hope to see him at the Australian Open this month, but he returned for a final few bruising minutes. Thompson kept his focus razor-sharp at the decisive moments, not least when his first match point finally arrived: the longest rally of the evening ended when Nadal pushed a backhand too long, and Thompson, sweat-soaked from head to foot, could celebrate at last.

Nadal would not have had any particular expectations ahead of his return this week — indeed, he was just happy to be playing without pain — but take nothing away from Thompson. The 29-year-old, who hit 44 winners to Nadal's 32, played brave, captivating tennis that kept the crowd in the stands as the clock approached midnight. One impressed spectator was actor Jude Law, who must have admired the magic touch shown by the Australian.

"I thought, 'oh s***, I was watching you on the screen the other night!' I'm a big fan of Dumbledore," Thompson said.

The Sporting News followed the Rafael Nadal vs. Jordan Thompson match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happened.

MORE: How long was Rafael Nadal out of action?

*Denotes server

Rafael Nadal vs Jordan Thompson highlights and commentary

Nadal 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 3-6 Thompson* — THOMPSON WINS THIRD SET AND MATCH

Thompson starts with a serve-and-volley and Nadal hits a beauty of a return winner that skids off the far line. He keeps his composure to put away a forehand. Nadal, rubbing the corner of his mouth, returns to the baseline, impassive. He digs deep and wins the next exchange as Thompson bounces his racquet off the court and has to change it. Another brave, brave play follows as he puts a drive volley into the open space for 30-30. Nadal nets a forehand with a grimace, and it's match  point, Thompson. What follows is the longest point of the match: an exhausting exchange of ground strokes, punctuated by gasps from the crowd, until Nadal pushes a backhand long. Thompson wins a classic in Brisbane!

Nadal* 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 3-5 Thompson

After three hours and 16 minutes, Nadal serves to stay in the match. Thompson's focus is absolute, and Nadal's backhand goes awry. A ferocious forehand — what else — makes it 15-15. Thompson defends brilliantly, but Nadal doesn't blink this time. A good serve and forehand combination keeps Nadal in the contest for now. Over to you, Jordan...

Nadal 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 2-5 Thompson*

Nadal is certainly moving well as he sprints from one tramline to another, but Thompson's backhand is too good. Another hard, flat shot off that wing catches Nadal off-balance. The next one misses, but he responds with an ace and a slider out wide that Nadal can't get back. The Pat Rafter Arena is a fitting stage for serving like that. Thompson is a game away from victory.

Nadal* 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 2-4 Thompson

Nadal doesn't look overly happy, but an ace is a good way to start the game. He's generally fared better tonight in shorter rallies, and if his body is letting him down now, he'll want to keep these points as brief as possible. Two more big serves bring up game point, and another ace does the job.

Medical timeout for Rafael Nadal

Nadal went off court after that game and the umpire has just announced the medical timeout. Thompson is on his feet, trying to keep himself loose and ward off any cramp after these gruelling last couple of hours. Nadal comes back onto court, and the crowd tries to lift him. Can he keep this match alive?

Nadal 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 1-4 Thompson*

Nadal's return is long after an opening second serve. Thompson clips the tee with an ace. Nadal, again, catches the top of the net with a forehand, and Thompson puts away the loose ball. Nadal slaps a forlorn return into the base of the net, and that's as comfortable a hold as the Aussie could have hoped for. You can never write off Nadal until the handshake at the net, but right now, he looks like he's running out of steam.

Nadal* 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 1-3 Thompson — THOMPSON BREAKS

Slight delay after the change of ends as spectators return to their seats slowly. The stands are still pretty packed out despite the late hour. Nadal draws some loud applause with a superb cross-court backhand, but his chip-and-charge that follows looks a bit tired, and Thompson reads it. Nadal has a long time to wind up for a forehand... too long, perhaps, as it clips the tape and lands wide. 30-30. A clean return winner off the second serve, and suddenly Nadal is facing a break point. Thompson larrups a shot to the Nadal backhand, follows it up with a drive volley, and breaks!

Nadal 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 1-2 Thompson*

Thompson has chosen a great time to rediscover his first serve, quickly moving to 40-0. He chooses not to chase down a Nadal backhand, which seems understandable at first but less so when he nets during the next rally. Thompson recovers and comes through to lead 2-1.

Nadal* 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 1-1 Thompson

Nadal expects a Thompson forehand to land long, but it clips the line. A puff of the cheeks is all the emotion the Spaniard shows. At 40-15, Thompson swats away a second serve like a bothersome fly; at 40-30, he does it again, this time from an implausible angle! He can't make it three in a row, but Thompson, at the moment, looks the more confident player. Nadal will be happy to have come through that game.

Nadal 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 0-1 Thompson*

It's gone 11 p.m. in Brisbane and it's still 75 degrees F out on court. This is going to take serious effort from both men. Nadal's return at 15-15 somehow lands in court after coming down with snow on it, and Thompson goes wide. He makes no such error at the net for 30-30, though, and an ace gives him the lead in the match for the first time.

Tie-break: Nadal 6-8 Thompson — THOMPSON WINS SECOND SET

Unbelievable from Thompson! Nadal was maybe a little safe with the forehand volley, but Thompson still had to scramble to keep the ball alive before blocking back a winner at the net and roaring his approval. He serves for the set. The first is in the net. Nadal gets back the second, and he defends superbly in the rally that follows, until Thompson's overhead clips the baseline! We're going to a decider!

Tie-break: Nadal 6-6 Thompson

A punishing rally ends in Thompson finding the net off the backhand. Both men know that could be a key point. Nadal serves at 4-3, and again, Thompson can't clear the tape off the backhand side. Two points needed for the 22-time major champion. Thompson defends magnificently, and this time, Nadal misses an awkward smash by a long way. We're treated to one more strength-sapping rally before Nadal moves forward and drops a pinpoint volley into the corner. Match point again. Nadal gets a look at the second serve, sets things up for a forehand winner, and pushes it wide! Incredible, but he has one more chance, and now it's on his serve. Thompson reads the body serve, and then crashes a forehand down the line to level!

Tie-break: Nadal 3-3 Thompson

Thompson gets a little lucky as his mishit return forces the error from Nadal. The Spaniard then runs around the ball to get his forehand to the return, but he pushes it wide, and we're back on serve! Thompson's smash at the net is read by Nadal, who can't get the ball over the net; the Aussie breathes a sigh of relief.

Tie-break: Nadal 3-0 Thompson

No half-measures again from Thompson, who misses with a difficult forehand. He lands a first serve out wide, and — oh, my word! Nadal flicks a wrist and the return rockets past the Thompson racquet! Sensational. Thompson tries to force the issue but his approach shot isn't great this time, and Nadal picks it off with ease.

Nadal 7-5 6-6 Thompson*

Thompson, again, must hold serve to stay in the match. A vicious one down the tee is a good start. Then comes another, out wide, unreturnable. Nadal lets out a roar as a forehand doesn't come back, but Thompson makes a brilliant get with a backhand volley. Nadal's backhand bends wide, and we're into a tie-break!

Nadal* 7-5 6-5 Thompson

Thompson mixes up a return off the backhand wing but just misses the attempted short ball. But Nadal, just as he did at 15-0 in this game, misses a routine groundstroke to let his opponent draw level. Is the great man feeling the pressure, now? Nadal goes for power to bring up game point, but Thompson responds in kind. Deuce. Thompson sees an opportunity at the net, but goodness me, what a passing shot from Nadal! A crosscourt backhand winner, stretching for the ball. 6-5.

Nadal 7-5 5-4 Thompson*

Good reactions at the net from Thompson after Nadal's return clipped the top of the tape. Again, he charges in behind a decent serve and Nadal misses off the backhand, but Thompson then returns the favour. Another bruising exchange, and another backhand into the net from Thompson makes it 30-30. The pressure is building now; the crowd sense it. Nadal reaches the wide first serve and Thompson can't keep the ball in play, and we have our first match point. Thompson serve-volleys, Nadal lobs him, the ball is there for the reverse smash... and Nadal misses it! Two big first serves follow, and it's 5-5. Will Nadal rue that missed chance?

Nadal* 7-5 5-4 Thompson

As the match clock ticks over to two hours, Nadal takes an awkward ball out of the sky and then buries a forehand down the line. Another ace down the tee leaves Thompson statuesque. The Australian hits a fantastic forehand return, right at Nadal's feet, and still it's not enough — Nadal sprints to reach the drop shot and clips a stunning sliced winner to the open court. Thompson will now serve to stay in the contest.

Nadal 7-5 4-4 Thompson*

Given the importance of the game, that was mightily impressive from Thompson: strong serving, efficiency from the baseline, and an ace to finish.

Nadal* 7-5 4-3 Thompson

Nadal looks like he's honing in on his target, his forehand being deployed with a little more force. An ace and an unreturned serve finishes this quick-fire game. The pressure is back on Thompson.

Nadal 7-5 3-3 Thompson*

Thompson finds a much-needed first serve at 15-15, but Nadal throws everything at the next second serve, winning the point off a deep backhand volley. Thompson responds with a serve-and-volley, throwing his opponent off his rhythm, and he comes through to level the set. Some big games coming up, now.

Nadal* 7-5 3-2 Thompson

Full credit to Thompson, who is refusing to lie down here. He's forcing Nadal to take more risks if he wants to get this done in two, and he's not shying away from bolder shots himself. Nadal delivers a typical one-two punch off the first serve, ensuring there's no threat of a break this time.

Nadal 7-5 2-2 Thompson*

Thompson is trying to keep on the front foot, but he's looking, understandably, a little deflated after such a good first-set performance yielded nothing. A long forehand gives Nadal two break points; on the second, just as Nadal looks to be waiting for the error, Thompson hits a sensational drop shot from behind the baseline that his opponent can only applaud. A quite amazing rally follows, both men giving everything to keep the ball alive before Thompson blinks first, but he snuffs out the break point with more positive play and drags himself through the game.

Nadal* 7-5 2-1 Thompson

A pretty tame double fault from Nadal follows a point in which Thompson looked the fresher of the two players. A quite wonderful forehand, changing direction in the rally completely, wins the important next point for Nadal, and a clever body serve levels the score. And then, another miss, a grimace, and it's break point. A breathtaking rally follows — quite literally, with Thompson on his haunches, exhausted, at the end of it — and Nadal survives the game. What a contest this is!

Nadal 7-5 1-1 Thompson*

Anything you can do, Rafa! Efficient serving sees Thompson ease to 40-0. Nadal wins the next point, but Thompson does enough with the serve-volley. 1-1.

Nadal* 7-5 1-0 Thompson

Thompson, as he pointed out to the umpire during the break, left himself drenched through after the exertions of that first set. He comes out for the second with his right arm in a compression sleeve — hopefully, there's nothing there to trouble him too much. Nadal, who took a bathroom break, races through his opening service game to love.

Nadal 7-5 Thompson* — NADAL BREAKS, WINS FIRST SET

Thompson can't pick up the volley, and suddenly the tension creeps in with a double fault. Another missed first serve gives Nadal the chance to take early control of the rally and force the error, and he suddenly has three set points. Thompson snuffs out the first well, but in the next exchange, he puts a backhand into the net! Nadal snatches the first set!

Nadal* 6-5 Thompson

"NO!" bellows Thompson as he nets a forehand. Nadal promptly follows suit, then double faults for the first time in the match. It's tense out here. The Spaniard produces a couple of timely big forehands to get out of trouble, but misses the next one. Deuce. An ace down the tee helps him come through in the end.

Nadal 5-5 Thompson*

That's the most straightforward game for a while, Thompson serving effectively and finishing it off with another precise forehand. Level again.

Nadal* 5-4 Thompson

Having battled so hard to get that break, how will Thompson react to handing one straight back to Nadal? Well, winning a forehand exchange at 15-15 is a good way to go about things. Nadal gets to game point with an arrow of a backhand down the line, but Thompson dispatches a forehand for deuce — Nadal has won just one of nine points behind his second serve to this point. He comes through in the end, but the Spaniard isn't too happy out there.

Nadal 4-4 Thompson* — NADAL BREAKS

Nadal, naturally, puts the Thompson serve straight back under pressure. He tries another approach shot and is picked off by a curling forehand that elicits the first fist-pump of the evening from Nadal. Thompson shows lovely soft hands at the net at 0-40, but Nadal hunts down his next volley and whips the forehand pass into the open court. An immediate break back!

Nadal* 3-4 Thompson — THOMPSON BREAKS

Nadal is dominating the shorter rallies, but Thompson is doing far better in the longer exchanges. It's not often that players get on top of Nadal by making the points longer! At 40-15, Nadal follows up a good serve with an approach shot, but Thompson picks out the open court in style, then finishes the next rally with a pinpoint forehand! Nadal gets worn down in another long rally, and we have a first break point of the match... and Thompson takes it, forcing Nadal to net off the backhand! Wow. Brilliant stuff from the Australian.

Nadal 3-3 Thompson*

A terrific second serve has Nadal backpeddling — no mean feat given he was standing so far back to begin with — but Thompson makes a horrible mess of a smash at 30-0. He shows real bravery to come to the net on the next point and put away a potentially tricky volley, but Nadal wins the next brutal exchange and a double fault brings up deuce. Thompson sees two game points come and go, but two rare forehand misses from Nadal let his opponent off the hook. It's 3-3.

Nadal* 3-2 Thompson

Nadal mixes up the serve, this time sliding one so far to the Thompson backhand that spectators might have feared for their safety. Thompson decides enough is enough, steps in on a second serve at 40-0, and slaps back a forehand winner. And again — this time, he finishes the point with a drop volley at the net. And again — a backhand cross-court winner! Suddenly, the Nadal serve is under pressure. The Spaniard forces two backhand errors to come through the game, but that will have given the home favourite some confidence.

Nadal 2-2 Thompson*

Off balance, Thompson goes long off the forehand after a second serve. He sets up the next point nicely, only to crash a backhand into the net from mid-court. Danger signs. However, two big serves have Nadal at full stretch, and the Aussie levels the game. Then comes a huge slice of luck, as Thompson's backhand clips the net full on but somehow drops over. A Nadal mishit, and Thompson comes through.

Nadal* 2-1 Thompson

Nadal is serving really well early on. An ace brings up 40-0; Thompson scrambles to get the next one back in play, but Nadal hammers the forehand winner.

Nadal 1-1 Thompson*

Thompson follows up a serve with a tidy forehand winner. The next rally is a longer exchange, ending with Nadal whipping a forehand inches wide. Thompson then gets caught out by a looping shot that just lands in court, but he steadies himself in the rally before another thumping forehand winner. Nadal misses a backhand to end the game.

Nadal* 1-0 Thompson

An imperious opening game sees Nadal win the first exhausting rally and fire down two unreturned serves. No sign of any fatigue, there!

Start

Here we go! Nadal to serve first.

Prematch: Here come the players! Thompson is bedecked in dark blue and white, while Nadal is sporting a pink top with light green (and very short) shorts. Thompson wins the coin toss and elects to receive serve first.

Prematch: Sabalenka battled through in two sets, so Nadal and Thompson will be out on court soon.

Prematch: This match won't start until at least 8 p.m. local time. The women's quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Daria Kasatkina is being played on the Pat Rafter court at the moment, and should that one go to a third set, Nadal and Thompson will have to wait a little longer.

Prematch: Welcome to this tantalising quarterfinal matchup in the men's draw. Rafael Nadal continues his impressive return to the Tour against home favourite Jordan Thompson — a man he has beaten in their only two previous meetings, most recently at the 2022 French Open.

Rafael Nadal vs Jordan Thompson live stream, TV channel

Book now to secure your spot at the 2024 Brisbane International

The match between Rafael Nadal and Jordan Thompson is due to be the fifth match on court at the Pat Rafter Arena on Friday, January 5.

The start time will be determined by the length of the preceding matches, but it will not begin before 8 p.m. local time (2 a.m. ET).

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Author(s)
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Joe Wright

Joe is Senior Editor (Football) at Sporting News.

Tennis
Brisbane International
Rafael Nadal