Roger Federer’s slam record is never in serious jeopardy as it was during this time. If Rafael Nadal won Roland Garros for the 13th time, he would equate the Swiss with 20 majors. The 39-year-old from Basel, who has undergone two operations in the last few months, will return to the tennis court in early 2021 to repeat the success of 2017.
According to numerous insiders, it is hard to believe that the former world number 1 will compete to win the US Open as Federer turns 40 next August. As his compatriot Marc Rosset has stated in recent days, the rise of Dominic Thiem (new champion in New York) could help Roger slow the pace of Nadal and Djokovic.
The Austrian has already played two consecutive finals at Roland Garros and this year could be the right time to overthrow Mallorcans’ dominance. ATP number 3 revealed that Federer was one of the first to compliment him after his success at the US Open.
Thiem on Roger Federer
After Dominic Thiem declared Roger Federer completely unique in tennis, he vowed to do his part to keep his rivals from breaking their records.
“Roger Federer congratulated me on my victory at the US Open,” Thiem said to Blick. “I promise I’ll do everything I can to keep Roger number one (smiling). No other player can be compared to Roger, he is unique, a much more aesthetic and elegant player than me “- he added.
Former top 10 player Massu believes this win will make Thiem more relaxed in future major tournaments. “I think this will help Dominic be calmer because they talk a lot about the new generation.
“Now he will play more calmly at the next Grand Slam,” added the Chilean. The next Grand Slam tournament for Thiem will be the French Open, where he will be one of the favorites for the title and in the last two seasons he was second to Rafael Nadal.
Massu was confident that one day he could assert himself at Roland Garros, but also emphasized the importance of doing things slowly before the planned event in Paris. “I think he will definitely have the chance to win the French Open, maybe this year or whatever,” commented Massu, “but now I think we have to take it step by step.”
When we arrive in Paris and start practicing, we have to think of the French Open. “After his efforts in New York, Dominic Thiem has decided to skip this week’s Italian Open and will play his first major champion game at the French Open, which starts at the end of this month. He will be the third seed behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
