Australian Open: Thiem's tactics in the final against Novak Djokovic? "A fine line"
Dominic Thiem knows what will matter in the final of the Australian Open against Novak Djokovic - and how he has to appear. The fifth in the world rankings doesn't want Djokovic to have a day more to relax.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Feb 02, 2020, 09:04 am
"There are advantages but also disadvantages," said Thiem after his victory over Alexander Zverev. "I think it's also a little bit of a challenge to have all the time one day off and all of a sudden two. Of course, I have less time to regenerate." But, according to Thiem after the victory: "With the adrenaline and everything, it's going to be finde to be fine. I played two super intense matches against Rafa and now against Sascha. So of course I'm going to feel it, especially tomorrow. But going tohave great treatment, easy hit tomorrow, and then of course try everything to be 100% on Sunday night."
Thiem tactics against Djokovic: "A thin line"
He has often proven that Thiem can beat the "Big 3"; it was always difficult for him to confirm a victory. "I also had big issues with that two, three years agowhen I was beating a big guy. Almost all the time I lost my next match. But with experience and withmore times when you are facing that situation, it got better."
The game against Djokovic needs a good balance, says Thiem. He had to "risk a lot, but not too much, that is a very thin line." The last time he met in London, he managed that perfectly.
Djokovic praises Thiem: "He has the game"
In direct comparison with Djokovic it is 6: 4 for the Serbs, on hard court 3: 1, outdoors (on hard court) 2: 0. He did not want to hang too high that Thiem has won four of the last five matches against Djokovic, including most recently at the ATP Finals in London. "It's absoutely his comfort zone here, he's played his best tennis in Australia since many, many years."
Djokovic actually does: The "Djoker" has won seven times in Melbourne and has not yet lost a final. The respect for Thiem is still there. "He definitely has the game. He has the experience now. He has the strength. He has all the means to really be there. He has improved in the last 12 months playing on the hard court without a doubt,and the results are showing that," said Djokovic, who with another victory on Sunday would celebrate his 17th Grand Slam title.
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