Dominic Thiem does not (yet) see a changing of the guard: "Think that the Big Three will play for every big title in the next few years"
Despite the ATP final between him andDaniil Medvedev ,Dominic Thiem does not yet believe in the changing of the guard in men's tennis. Rather, the 27-year-old Austrian expects an exciting and balanced battle for the biggest titles in the coming years.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Nov 23, 2020, 11:56 pm
Quite a few observers of the scene had seen a kind of changing of the guard in men's tennis in the final of the ATP Finals between Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem . This impression was no coincidence, both the Russian and the Austrian had defeated Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the course of the tournament.
For the 27-year-old Thiem, the final against his opponent, who was three years younger than him, was not necessarily a foretaste of the near future. "I think that the Big Three will play for every major title in the next few years," said the Lichtenwörther. Accordingly, Thiem expects, in addition to further successes from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, also from Roger Federer, one or two exclamation marks.
Almost unbroken Grand Slam dominance
"Roger, Rafa, Nole and Andy have done so much for the sport. I think that they brought many new spectators, many new fans, to tennis," Thiem said of the old guard Rosen. But it is important that younger players now also make the breakthrough, explained the Lichtenwörther.
The tournament in London has already shown one thing, despite the almost unbroken dominance of the "Big Three", especially at Grand Slam tournaments: "We have proven that we can play with the legends and beat them. We can also win the biggest tournaments ", so Thiem.
Thiem hopes for "exciting times"
Therefore, Thiem expects a big fight for the most important trophies in the coming years. "Rafa and Nole are still up. Roger will come back next year. I think that with Daniil, Sascha, Stefanos and, as of this year, Rublev, there are six to seven players who will fight for the top positions in the next few years ", said Thiem, who wants to climb further up the world rankings himself .
In "three, four, five years" Djokovic, Nadal and Federer would probably no longer play on the tour, the 27-year-old gave an assessment. "Then we will be the favorites for all the big titles. I think that there are exciting times ahead of us in tennis," said Thiem.