Despite dominating in his comeback from a wrist injury, Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, has issued an alert to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The Austrian broke the six-year dominance of Nadal, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka on Major titles by being the first of the young talent to advance to a Grand Slam final.
The Austrian reemerged on clay just about a full year after his last appearance, the Mallorca Open last year. But it took him 14 months until he managed to win again. First at the Austria Challenger and then last week at the Swedish Open. When he defeated a player ranked in the top 20.
Why Dominic Thiem proves to be a threat?
With his first Major final appearance at the 2018 French Open and his fourth Grand Slam final appearance at the 2020 US Open, Thiem established himself as one of the biggest challenges to Nadal and Djokovic’s dominance. Before a wrist injury put an end to his career, the former world No. 3 had consistently shown that he could defeat the two legendary players, even on their finest surfaces and at Major level.
And with the US Open approaching, Thiem has now given Nadal and Djokovic something to be concerned about. The 28-year-old has made his mark on reaching his highest form by the climax of the year, ready to break into the top players at the final Masters of 2022 in Paris, before wanting for a successful 2024 season.
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Dominic Thiem on the upcoming US Open
“The main goal is to regain my best level by the end of the season. To play the way I was before when I step on court. To think I am able to win against any opponent.”
But there will be some consolation for Nadal and Djokovic because the Austrian doesn’t think he’ll be able to reach his optimum in time for his comeback to the US Open, which would be his first participation there since winning the championship two years ago.
The World ranked 274 adds, “That is not going to happen now or probably by the US Open, but by the end of the year, that is the goal.”
Thiem on his Swedish Open run
And despite being a Grand Slam champion, the 28-year-old had discovered a newfound feeling of freedom in his return as he began to relish every victory, even those at lower levels. Thiem continued: “I feel now a bit like I did at the beginning of my career, where every win was something very special.“
“I reached the quarter-finals in Bastad at an ATP 250 and it feels huge to me. It was similar at the start of my career. When you are used to going deep, a match win is not as special anymore. But that is not the way it should be. The level is so high, all the players are playing so well, so every match win should be special and that is how I am feeling again now.”
Dominic Thiem previous achievements
In his playing career, Dominic Thiem has amassed a total of 17 trophies. The Austrian struggled after turning professional in the year 2011, going nearly four years without a title. When he captured his first-ever ATP title in 2015, everything changed. He made a name for himself in the tennis world by defeating Leonardo Mayer in Nice after three tense sets.
Wining should be a habit, and Dominic Thiem did a fantastic job of adopting it. After Nice, he won another championship in Umag, Croatia, and then he won again in Gstaad. Thiem’s 2015 accomplishments served as the springboard for his ascent to brilliance. He won four ATP titles in 2016, taking home victories in Argentina, Acapulco, Nice, and Stuttgart. He won the match in Rio de Janeiro and advanced to the French Open semifinals in 2017.
For Dominic Thiem, 2018, 2019, and 2020 were fantastic years. He won in Lyon and St. Petersburg after taking first place in Buenos Aires twice in 2018. For the first time, Thiem lost to Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the French Open final. Thiem had a fantastic year in 2019, winning five ATP championships.
Dominic Thiem’s victory over Roger Federer in the Indian Wells final to win the championship was his biggest triumph. A decisive victory over Nadal in the semifinals helped Thiem triumph in Barcelona and solidify his place among the best.
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Dominic Thiem’s last US Open
Dominic Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev in five intense sets to win the US Open in 2020, ending his Grand Slam drought. Despite being two sets behind, Thiem completed an incredible comeback to win the US Open. This year, he intends to carry out the same goal.
