With money in the bank, Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell feel like they're free-rolling favourites to win the US Open men's doubles final.
Australia's new dynamic duo face German 10th seeds Kevin Krawletz and Tim Puetz on Saturday (Sunday 2am AEST) hoping to atone for a crushing finals loss at Wimbledon, where Thompson and Purcell failed to convert either of two match points.
The Sydneysiders and great mates only paired up last year, after Purcell split with compatriot and his 2022 Wimbledon-winning partner Matt Ebden, but have already enjoyed great success together.
As well as reaching back-to-back grand slam finals, Thompson and Purcell have collected ATP titles in Houston, Los Cabos and Dallas this year despite focusing mostly on singles.
Thompson will leave New York with a career-ranking of No.29 in the world after making the last 16 of the singles, while Purcell also cracked the top 50 this year.
Plying their trade in singles is largely why Thompson and Purcell are taking a somewhat relaxed and confident approach into the doubles title decider at Flushing Meadows.
"I don't think we're going to be in awe of the occasion," Purcell said.
"The guys we're playing against are both good but, in saying that, we're also in the finals so we're good and they probably need it more than we do because we're singles players."
Neither of the Australians have ever played on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the biggest arena in tennis which seats almost 22,000 fans.
But that doesn't bother them either.
"We've played on plenty of big courts. I don't think it's really much of an issue," Purcell said.
"It's not singles, it's doubles. You get to cruise with your mate out there. It's not like all the pressure's on you.
"We've played on s*** outside courts and big courts and, for me, everything feels the same on the doubles court.
"I don't really care about which court I play.
"It's big, but there's not going to be a crazy turnout. It's doubles. It's not like the thing's going to be packed, and we're not playing against Americans.
"It's middle of the day, 12 o'clock, everyone's probably going to be hung over on Friday night."
Believing they can beat anyone, having proven so with upset victories over the top-ranked team in the world at both the All England Club and in New York, Purcell and Thompson are also guaranteed huge pay days win or lose.
Thompson is in line to walk away with a monster cheque for $US700,000 ($A1.05 million) if he hoists the trophy, having already secured $US325,000 ($A487,000) for making the singles fourth round.
Purcell has also already made $US140,000 ($A210,000) from reaching the singles second round and will split either the $US375,000 ($A562,300) runners-up purse or the $750,000 ($A1.13 million) winners' cheque.
But money can't buy a grand slam trophy.
"We've got nothing at the moment," Thompson said.
"Max has already got a grand slam title but it's going to be another chance to have a crack at another one and hopefully, yeah, we can go one better."
