Chris O’Connell is ready to shine against Jannik Sinner, but his journey to the third round of the US Open has been anything but easy. While it may seem straightforward from the outside, O’Connell’s path has been marked by significant challenges. There was a time when the Australian tennis player took a break from the sport and decided to work as a boat cleaner to make ends meet in 2018. But why did he take such a drastic step in his career?

On September 11, 2023, Chris O’Connell received a career-high ATP singles ranking of World No. 53, and on April 25, 2022, he reached a career-high doubles ranking of No. 460. He did not, however, arrive at these milestones without some difficulties. In 2018, facing the toll of “too many injuries” and craving a respite from the sport, Chris O’Connell sought a break from tennis. While he considered coaching kids and conducting clinics, he also wanted to avoid being on a tennis court.

The Australian eventually chose a different path, moving to a bay in Sydney. There, he joined his brother Ben, who had extended an invitation to work at the local marina. Together, they spent their time cleaning boats, allowing O’Connell to step away from the pressures of professional tennis and find a new rhythm.

Back in 2020, in an interview, O’Connell stated, “I was thinking, ‘Sweet, I don’t have to teach anyone to hit a forehand and I can just clean boats and relax.’ That’s what I did for the morning and afternoon and I’d ride my bike down to the bay.”

While nobody was able to figure out why O’Connell was doing that job, the Aussie himself was happy that he didn’t have to be anywhere close to the tennis court. He added, “I did that from February to June. It was terrible money, and everyone thought I was crazy because I could get more money coaching. But I just didn’t want to step on a tennis court.”

However, now Chris O’Connell’s focus has shifted entirely back to improving his game. At the top of his list is the challenge of taking on Jannik Sinner.

Chris O’Connell to take on Jannik Sinner 

Their third-round clash at the US Open will mark the third encounter between Jannik Sinner and Chris O’Connell, following their Miami Open showdown earlier this year. They are currently tied with a 1-1 record, with the Italian winning the most recent encounter.

As O’Connell prepares to face world No. 1, he expressed his excitement about the match, saying, “He’s one of the biggest names in tennis, so it’s going to be awesome.” On the other hand, even Sinner believes that the Australian is a tough competitor on the court, “He’s a good player. Good serve. Moving really well. Tough player.”

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O’Connell’s journey from cleaning boats to challenging one of the top players in the world highlights his dedication and resilience. As both players prepare to give their all on the court, tennis fans can look forward to a high-energy showdown. Do you think O’Connell can pull off an upset?