Australian Open: Dominic Thiem calls for the "King of Australia"
Dominic Thiemfaces the greatest possible challenge in the final of the Australian Open with Novak Djokovic . The Serb has won all of his seven finals in Melbourne so far.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Feb 01, 2020, 08:19 pm
Dominic Thiem is still one step away from his first Grand Slam triumph. But as with his first two attempts at Roland Garros, the Austrian meets the man who has dominated the tournament for some time and has not had to accept a final defeat to date.
In Paris it was Rafael Nadal who denied Thiem his first major win, in Novak Djokovic he faces Melbourne. The Serbian has won the Australian Open seven times so far and has not lost a single endgame - so Thiem has another mammoth task.
Thiem feels ready
"It is of course not that extreme, but what Nadal is in Paris is Djokovic here. He always plays in top form here," said Thiem about his opponent in the final. "Novak is the King of Australia," the fifth in the world ranking is aware of the severity of the task.
I have the feeling that I can keep my level very well.
Dominic Thiem
But unlike his first Grand Slam final almost two years ago, Thiem feels ready for the big hit this time: "In the first Paris final I was definitely not ready for it. I only realized how long the two weeks I was actually no chance at that point. But now with the experience, I did it well, got through the problems in the first rounds and I have the feeling that I can keep my level very well for two weeks. is up to me as well as Djokovic. "
One thing is clear: Thiem will need an absolute dream day to bring the Serbian world ranking second to its knees. So far, Djokovic has given just one set throughout the tournament, and the 32-year-old also enjoys an additional day off. "We don't start from scratch, that's clear," Thiem also knows about this additional handicap.
Thiem with good memories of Djokovic
"Sure, Djokovic will probably go into the game more rested, but with all the tension, joy and adrenaline, I think I can do a good physical job on Sunday," said the 26-year-old Lichtenwörther nonetheless, his best tennis to be able to bring to the square.
I have to play at the upper limit.
Dominic Thiem
In the recent past, this worked extremely well for Thiem against Djokovic. The Austrian won four of the last five games, including an epic match at the ATP Finals . "I have to play at the upper limit so that I have a chance, like in London," said Thiem.
In the victories against Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev Thiem played at the upper limit, on Sunday it may even need a further performance increase. For the Lower Austrian on February 2, 2020, all good things are supposed to be three: "I want to take the last step on Sunday."
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