Dominic Thiem is definitely one of the most talked-about tennis players in recent months. First there was controversy over the solidarity fund for tennis players in the top 100, while more recently he was accused of not being quarantined after discovering that Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric, Victor Troicki and Novak Djokovic were positive at Covid.
In fact, all those previously mentioned participated in the Adria Tour, an exhibition tournament organized by Nole, in which Thiem also participated (and won the stage in Belgrade). The Austrian justified himself by claiming to have tested negative for 5 swabs in 10 days.
In an interview with Polstat Sport, Dominic Thiem’s father Wolfgang spoke about the challenges his son faces against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Dominic Thiem’s father about Nadal and Djokovic
“To beat Rafael Nadal, you have to be aware, and Dominic already has it, that you have to concentrate on the first ball,” said Wolfgang Thiem.
“He had to play a few games with Rafael to realize it. You probably remember how they played together at the 2018 US Open and Dominic Thiem lost the last 6: 7 set. Even then, he was very close to victory. Melbourne was very close.
Dominic may have lost this game too. It was an incredible game. Dominic won the first set 6-0! It was an excellent example of how great athletes can rise in competition. Against Rafa, you have to be 100% focused, ready and in full intensity.
It’s the only way to beat Nadal, especially on a clay surface, “said Wolfgang Thiem. Wolfgang Thiem doesn’t think his son can take Novak Djokovic lightly as an opponent as well.” It was a very balanced game.
It was 2-1 in set, then 2-1 in set 4, there were breaking points, “said Dominic Thiem’s father.” If Dominic had managed to break it, perhaps he would have won his first Grand Slam title. Sometimes you win tough games, sometimes you lose.
The most important thing, however, is to always keep the same high level, which has been seen in Dominic’s case for several years. “Dominic Thiem’s growth on the tour has been underway since 2014, and he has now started beating the game’s biggest supporters on their favorite surfaces.
Dominic Thiem defeated Novak Djokovic on hard courts at the ATP Tour finals last year, Rafael Nadal on clay in Madrid in 2018 and Barcelona in 2019 and Roger Federer on grass in Stuttgart in 2016.
