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When Dominic Thiem was growing up, he always dreamed of winning a Grand Slam title. After making that a reality by winning the US Open, the Austrian doesn’t want victory to change who he is off the pitch.
“I hope my life doesn’t change because my life cannot depend on success. That would be wrong, ”Thiem told ATPTour.com. But I hope it will definitely change my career. I have achieved the biggest goal so far that I have set myself and I hope it will allow me to play freer and even better tennis in the next big tournaments ”.
The 27-year-old became the first player to lift his first major trophy since Marin Cilic emerged victorious at the 2014 US Open. Between the 2017 Australian Open and the last fortnight at Flushing Meadows, only members of the Three Greats (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic) won Grand Slam glory.
“I think more young players will win important trophies in the future, yes, but the Big Three still exist. The next big tournament, the French Open, is just around the corner and Rafa and Novak are in the draw, “said Thiem. “I think whenever they are in the draw they are the biggest favorites to win the title just because they are who they are. But I think it was good for men’s tennis that there is a new face on the winning list. “
Photo Credit: Peter Staples / USTA
Thiem has shown that he can compete with the best players in the world. When in mid-flight, the 17-time touring-level champion is capable of cutting through any opponent. It was ironic that in the biggest game of his life against Alexander Zverev, he relied heavily on his backhand at key moments, lengthening the rallies as the game progressed. The Austrian admitted that nerves prevented him from uncorking his trademark one-handed backhand, especially towards the end of the fifth set.
“To hit that shot, especially the backhand down the line, I need to feel free,” Thiem said. “I need to have a lot of acceleration in my wrist and my whole arm and I didn’t have it because of my nerves, because of my stiffness. It was tough in the first two sets until I broke free in the third. “
Read more about Thiem’s victory
Domi’s historic return pays the title
Brain game: why longer rallies backed Thiem’s big win
Freedom! ‘I dedicated my whole life to winning a Major’
Thiem turned things around just in time, becoming the first US Open champion in the Open Era to come back two sets less in the final. Now the Austrian, who has competed in four Grand Slam finals, has plenty of room at No. 3 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. He is only 725 points behind World No. 2 Rafael Nadal.
If Thiem surpasses Nadal, he will become the first player outside of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and former World No. 1 Andy Murray to reach the Top 2 since Lleyton Hewitt in July 2005. Thiem is 18th No. 3 of the world since then, and the eleventh of that group whose top professional is still number 3.
“Honestly, I didn’t think about the ranking until now. I was totally focused on the US Open the last few weeks, but now the goal is hopefully to get even higher in the rankings, which is super, super difficult, ”Thiem said. “We all know the two names in front of me, but now is the time to enjoy a bit and then prepare for French. It’s a great opportunity, two great tournaments in a row and I’m looking forward to it ”.
