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The draw for the Austrian could become a problem this year, after the batch of hammers at first called Marin Cilic, two more touchstones could wait with Reilly Opelka and Casper Ruud. “The (note drawing) is, of course, very difficult. Anyway, I’m only concentrating on the first round: Marin Cilic. The last match in New York was very close, even though it was in four sets, so we were close to the fifth, “said Lichtenwörther.
For now, the world number three does not want to hear much about the possible semi-final duel with twelve-time Paris champion Rafael Nadal. “It was clear from the start: if I really want to reach the final, I have to beat Djokovic or Nadal in the semi-final. Now it’s only Nadal in my half or me in his, or rather, but there is a long way to go. “
VIEW: Dominic Thiem, for the first time you start a major as a Grand Slam winner. What is different?
Dominic Thiem: Nothing has changed for me as a person. But in tennis, of course, the great pressure that I have put on myself for the last two or three years has disappeared. Now I have achieved a very, very big professional goal that no one will take away from me. Now I am liberated and trying to make the most of my future. But first I have to defeat my first opponent with Marin Cilic, in New York this match was very close. The draw couldn’t have been worse for me.
What relief was it not to have lost again in the 4th final?
Since I’ve been so close to the title several times, the idea was there, of course, I may never get it. Especially after the last Australian Open, it took me a long time to digest the final defeat. When I had another chance at the next Grand Slam, I was terribly nervous. He had probably never been so nervous before a game. And it really wasn’t easy in the special circumstances of the bladder. So I’m proud and happy that it worked.
Did you miss the audience a lot?
Fans are always missing. It is more pleasant to play in a packed stadium. But unfortunately we get used to it in the semi-finals and the final. Hopefully I’ll get to a final in front of the crowd again.
Before Flushing Meadows, you said that going far without the big stars is less valuable. How do you see it now?
That was a bit misunderstood. I didn’t say it was worth less without Roger and Rafa, it wasn’t the first time. But he didn’t know what the circumstances would be like in the bubble. In a normal Grand Slam, there is all the stress around you, driving, living in the city, etc. That also gives energy, but it also requires a lot of energy. But when I look back now, it was probably more stressful being in the hotel and facility for four and a half weeks without people playing in the stadium. Mentally, it was probably an even tougher Grand Slam than usual.
In Paris, Nadal is the best and could be your semi-final rival. What have you learned from the last three Paris losses to him?
Last year’s game was really good, the first two sets were possibly the best I’ve played on clay in my career. If I go that far, I can certainly use the phosphor as a model. Other than that, a fit Nadal is always the big favorite in Paris, simply because he has won the tournament twelve times and is simply the best player on clay. Nothing haunts you for long.
Nadal is also within your reach in the world rankings.
Ranking has always been my least objective. Winning another Grand Slam is bigger. I’ve subordinated everything in my head to that, which is why I’ve rarely looked at the rankings lately.
How many Grand Slam wins should they follow?
I’m realistic, getting to Federer, Nadal and Djokovic will not work. Of course I want to win more important titles. But now I could look back on my career calmly and without crying, because I have achieved the great goal.
Do you already know that you are the Swiss hope to keep the other two away from Federer’s records?
I promise: I will do my best to keep Roger number 1! (laughs)
You are now in the next crown bubble: is this situation sustainable in professional tennis?
It will probably stay that way for the near future, but I can’t imagine Corona lasting forever. It’s portable, yes, but taking a break to get back to normal life is great. The fact that two big tournaments run so close together is a special situation. I hope everything is back to normal by the end of next year.
What was happening at home in Austria? Did you enjoy the short break in freedom?
After flying home from New York, I did nothing for three or four days, just relaxed and spent time with family. Then I started training in sand and flew to Paris last Wednesday. Only after the French Open will I get a proper rest. Between the two Grand Slams I had to be careful not to brake too hard, to maintain the tension.
Was the hype about you at home cool?
I had a press conference right after arriving, not so much after that. Currently, receptions are not possible due to Corona. And someday I’ll have a big party, maybe in Paris. But what made me very happy: TV ratings were very high at home, even though my match took place in the middle of the night!
Are they celebrating you now as Federer Austria?
(laughs) If someone said that, it would sound great! The only thing that is the same about us is the one-handed backhand, I would say. No player can compare to Roger, he is absolutely unique. A much more elegant and aesthetic player than me. But he’s still a great role model for all of us.
You look humble, down to earth. So you are similar in appearance …
He’s also a great role model at that. Incredibly friendly, personable, and personally great fun. Of course, I also want to be like this, despite my success, to remain the person I have always been. When people say that about me, I feel happy. Roger managed to do just that.
How is your relationship? Did he congratulate you on the US Open?
Yes, he congratulated me, wrote a long message, which made me very happy. We are also in regular contact. In the run-up to the US Open, we continued to talk on the phone, mainly due to the ATP stories. I am very happy when Roger is on tour. Everybody is like that.
As one of the 7 great German-speaking winners and the first in four years not to be named Federer, Nadal or Djokovic, his name now falls on the same breath. Proud?
It’s a great honor. And it also shows what these three are doing in tennis. But it was very important that there be a fresh, winning face in a Grand Slam tournament. That was already clear when Djokovic was disqualified in New York. Suddenly a whole new feeling arose. Hopefully this will increase in the near future.
The last one before you was Stan Wawrinka. Actually, you remember more of …
In fact, there are parallels. Neither of them made the top ten very early, and they didn’t win their first major until they were 28. And Stan is also difficult to play.
Is it true that he was your role model in reverse?
Yes. He has the best one-handed backhand for me, beautiful to look at. If you have one yourself, there is a lot you can learn from Stan.
Do you trust Wawrinka with 35 more great feats?
Sure, earlier in the year in Australia he was in a great mood and he’s definitely still up for a title or two.
How often is he compared to Thomas Muster?
Asked about him very often. Because he was already in three grand finals before winning the US Open, everyone was wondering when that moment would finally be again, per the pattern. Of course, he is someone very special to us, a legend with an absolutely incredible career! He was number 1, he was the first Austrian to win a Grand Slam and 44 other tournaments, sparking a huge tennis boom. It would also be important to me if more people, especially children, came to tennis through me.
Now you are the leader of the new generation, do you and your competitors see it that way too?I’m 27 years old now, so I’m not the new generation! But I hope I have a ball rolling. With Zverev, Medvedev and Tsitsipas there are at least three candidates who can win a Grand Slam. It would be nice if I had started something now. I think the others are also happy that the spell has been broken. Now you have seen that it is possible. Before that, the big three were always on the road.
The breakthrough came after his environment changed. Was coach Nicolas Massu decisive?
Nico is very important and brings me a lot, that was already evident at the beginning of 2019 when we started working together. I have matured as a personality, also because it gives me freedom and allows me to make decisions. That developed on the field and helped a lot to take my game to a new level. Especially on hard courts, when serving, returning and playing the net. In the end, that is also the reason why I won my first Grand Slam not on clay, but on hard court. Nico and I have a great relationship!
What is the success rate of your long-term coach Günther Bresnik?
It has certainly given me a good foundation on which I will build throughout my career. But for me to be able to perfectly convert the blows I learned from him into matches and points, a Massu was needed. I think they both have the same share in my success.
And yet he is in legal dispute with Bresnik. How much does that weigh you down?
It’s certainly a shame. But I manage to vanish everything that happens next to the square. I’m not the type to drag such nasty things into the field. That is probably a character issue, others are not that good at it, I have no problem with that and that was important too. For the last year and a half, I have had a lot to do with tennis. But it didn’t affect me much.
