Thiem disappointed after the final defeat, but also relaxed

It wasn’t meant to be again. As in the previous year, Dominic Thiem had to admit defeat in the final of the ATP Finals despite a 1-0 lead in the set.

“Of course I am disappointed, but at the same time I am proud of the performances throughout the week,” the 27-year-old from Lower Austria said of last week, which in the end was anything but bad despite the great disappointment.

After all, the world number three reached this final thanks to victories over superstars Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, as well as defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and impressed with his top-level tennis.

Finally, the final against Daniil Medvedev, who had been in top form for a few weeks, was of the highest level. Two weeks ago, the Russian showed in his victory at the Paris-Bercy tournament that he could be expected in London. A forecast Medvedev was delighted to confirm.

“Daniil really deserved it, a great match. Congratulations. You had a great month of November with the titles at Paris-Bercy and here,” Thiem also stood out for the performance of the Russian, who was three years younger than him. Despite the loss in London, Thiem still has a 3-2 head-to-head lead.

Thiem: “Today was a pleasure”

“I hope we have many more matches ahead. It was a pleasure for me today, even if I lost,” said the Austrian as the usual fair underdog.

Thiem thanked his team with coach Nicolas Massu, physio Alex Stober and coach Herwig Straka, who “is even more important without fans.” “We had an amazing year, you took good care of me in all the ‘bubbles’.”

The match plan would have been correct, according to Thiem

In hindsight, Thiem wouldn’t have done much tactically in the final if he had the chance again. “Overall it was a good match plan, the match was on edge all the time. I even had a great opportunity to take the lead on set and break,” Thiem recalled. Then Medvedev broke to 3: 2 in the third set with his best game from Thiem’s ​​point of view.

Therefore, this narrow defeat certainly could not dissuade him from pursuing his path or make him reflect. “I’m also relaxed because it was an amazing tournament again and also a great year and I gave absolutely everything and I can’t blame myself.”

Disappointment, which of course predominates at the beginning, does not change that. “It’s bitter because today I was really ready. I was very motivated, I played well and felt good physically. But that’s the way it is in the big finals against great players, that even a very good performance is not enough because the other is better.” But he fought. until the end.

Medvedev undefeated to title

Medvedev, who was eliminated with three losses in his last debut last year, is now even the undefeated champion. Receive 1,500 points and $ 1.56 million for this.

“What a match, it was one of my most beautiful victories,” said the happy Medvedev, who was still using his cell phone to write messages on the players’ bench before the award ceremony. “I congratulate you, Domi, for all that you have already achieved. Your name is already in the tennis history books,” Medvedev scattered roses for the Austrian.

Medvedev was particularly pleased to have closed the Russian circle at the London headquarters. In 2009, Nikolay Dawidenko won the first edition at the imposing O2 stadium, Medvedev won the last before moving to Turin. “Many thanks to Nikolay Davydenko, who was an inspiration to me and many other children,” Medvedev said.

Many question marks behind the beginning of the holiday and the tour

For Thiem, now is the time to get out of the “bubble” and return to the house that was shaped by the blockade. He still doesn’t know where Thiem is taking his well-deserved vacation.

“I wanted to fly to Iceland and Sweden, but that is no longer possible,” Thiem said. Also, you have to wait and see how it goes with Australia. Currently, the tennis entourage cannot enter Australia before January 1, 2021.

Text as: © LAOLA1.at

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