Dominic Thiem: "Andy Murray gives me hope"
Dominic Thiem had to take the third Grand Slam final defeat en suite last Sunday. At the Australian Open, however, the Lichtenwörther was closer than ever. With Andy Murray it is now a former number one, which gives the Austrian hope that the first major title should work in a timely manner.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Feb 07, 2020, 09:15 am
Dominic Thiem made it three times into a Grand Slam Final, three times Austria's number one had to step up to the microphone - and make do with the trophy of the runner-up. Dominic Thiem is not disturbed by the fact that the Austrian tennis fans get angry in the days after the narrow five-set loss to Novak Djokovic . The reason for this is also a former number one, which had to wait even longer than the Austrian until the time was ripe for the first major title: Andy Murray.
The Scotsman even needed five attempts to triumph at Grand Slam level for the first time. Dominic Thiem also knows this: “Andy Murray lost four Grand Slam finals before he was victorious three times and also became number one. I see him as a role model, ” said the 26-year-old at a press conference after his return to Austria. It is perfectly clear to Thiem that the competition for the coveted major titles could not be bigger: “Of course, I can lose the next two Grand Slam finals. It is clear that there are always very big players waiting in the finals of the big tournaments - there is never a guarantee of winning. ”
Victory over Rafael Nadal important for Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem sees it as an important step to have won against Rafael Nadal in a best-of-five match for the first time. It was the Mallorcan who gave Dominic the first two defeats at the Grand Slam final level. Victory at the Australian Open could now give the Austrian the confidence needed for a possible encounter in the final of the French Open.
And Dominic Thiem is also on the rise in the world rankings. Only 85 points separate the Austrian from third place, Roger Federer. The ranking itself only played a subordinate role for the 26-year-old: “Of course the top 3 would be great, but they are not my main goal. I would prefer to keep the level as I played in Australia. Then the world ranking should come of its own accord. ”To emulate Andy Murray as a“ role model ”in terms of world rankings, the Austrian still lacks a lot: Dominic Thiem is currently missing more than 2600 world rankings on the world rankings first, Novak Djokovic.