'He is now a threat to Roger Federer, Nadal, Djokovic', says former player

At 27, Dominic Thiem can be considered to all intents and purposes as the major suspect in ousting Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer from the top of men's tennis. The Austrian had already shown himself at the beginning of the year with the final reached at the Australian Open, in which he was mocked by Djokovic after leading two sets to one. Taking advantage of Federer and Nadal's absences from the US Open, in addition to the sensational disqualification remedied by Nole, Dominic thus became the first player born in the 90s to win a Major. Thiem made a great progress in the Nitto ATP Finals, taking away the satisfaction of beating both Rafael Nadal in the Round Robin and Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. His dream of winning the Masters was shattered in the last act against a wild Daniil Medvedev. In a recent interview, former Austrian player Alexander Antonitsch praised Thiem's ​​ability to make himself loved both on and off the pitch. The number 3 ATP enjoys enormous respect on the tour.

Antonitsch on Dominic Thiem

"Everyone has respect for Dominic Thiem, so that they sometimes make mistakes because they don't want to get hurt," Alexander Antonitsch said. "They know that he plays his best tennis on important points." Dominic Thiem had also made the final of the French Open in 2018 and 2019, falling short against Rafael Nadal both times. And this year, apart from his US Open win, Thiem reached the final of the Australian Open as well as the summit clash at the ATP Finals. “Dominic Thiem is one step ahead of the others," Antonitsch said. "He is also a few years older and has already celebrated a Grand Slam title. There is a a difference whether I'm in an ATP final or winning a Grand Slam, where the best-of-five is played." After ending his season last weekend by losing to Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash of the ATP Finals, Thiem is planning to take the next 10 days off. The Austrian wants to fully recharge his batteries before beginning his preparations for the 2021 season. "Finally I’m on vacation! My first Grand Slam title in New York, reaching the finals in Melbourne and at the Masters – a very successful season has come to an end. Now I am going to relax for 10 days, going abroad is not possible because of the pandemic, that’s why I will spend my days at home in Austria," Dominic Thiem wrote in his latest blog post.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/39i1scn