Dominic Thiem - "I can easily play in Paris"
One day after his victory at the US Open 2020, Dominic Thiem commented again on the match against Alexander Zverev . And looked to the immediate future.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 14, 2020, 08:42 pm
The day after a Grand Slam triumph is actually reserved for champions and photographers. The former pose, the latter press the shutter release. In selected cases, smaller sit-ins with journalists from the country of the winner will be asked, but this point had to be canceled in New York City 2020. Instead, the USTA established a connection to Dominic Thiem, seen from him on the right his trophy, in the background the well-known empty grandstands.
# IMG2 #
tennisnet.com took part in the small round - and asked questions to the US Open champion of 2020.
Question : Mr. Thiem. Your game is actually predestined to be successful against Alexander Zverev: lots of spin, lots of slice. Why didn't that work at the beginning of the finale?
Dominic Thiem : I was very, very nervous. But I also believe that Sascha doesn't like my game, but that it's the other way around. It's always a bit of a strange matchup. Because my varied game is not good for him. And I always have problems with people with good serve. Sascha may even have the best first serve on the tour at the moment. And sometimes serves two first, which makes it even more difficult. There was also immense pressure, which of course I put on myself because I wanted to do everything I could to finally win the Grand Slam title. It almost went very, very badly in the pants. I was 0-2 sets and a break was behind. But with the rebreak in the third set, I played myself free. Then it was a good match. And in the fifth movement it was a drama with a lot of back and forth.
Thiem - "Hamburg is no longer an issue"
Question : In addition to the trophy and the winner's check: does a US Open champion get any other goodies?
Thiem : I haven't received anything yet. Except for an interview marathon.
Question : Is it conceivable for you to go to Roland Garros without any match practice? There is still a possibility in Hamburg.
Thiem : Yesterday I discussed with Nico (Massu, editor's note) that Hamburg is no longer an issue for me either. Especially after yesterday's match. Because it was very, very exhausting, the whole four weeks in the bubble. Plus all the emotion, the pressure, that crazy finale yesterday. I weighed it up a bit: match practice or come to Paris fully fit - and the latter is clearly more important. I'll take a few days off and start training on the weekend. Sand is always like coming home. And I hope that will work out. I didn't have much more match practice when I went to the US Open.
Question : The start in Paris will be on September 27th, significantly later than in previous years. What do you expect in terms of conditions?
Thiem : Strangely, the last three or four semifinals in Paris were always very cold. I can remember that it was eleven degrees in the first semi-final against Djokovic. It will never get much cooler. But we won't get over 25 degrees either. Will be interesting for sure, I'm looking forward to the tournament. I can start playing in Paris as easily as I haven't in ages. Now it's time to enjoy and digest first.
Question : Your favorite club, Chelsea FC, invested a huge amount of money during the summer, including around 100 million euros for Kai Havertz. How big is the pressure on coach Frank Lampard?
Thiem : The pressure is already great. But I don't think he has to become a master. Top four is mandatory. And a good result in the Champions League. By the way, I wrote to Kai Havertz on Instagram. I congratulated him on his transfer to the best club in the world. I hope we meet in November or next year at the latest. Havertz has been good to me for the past few years. And I'm happy that he is now playing for us and is wearing the right color.
Question : The 1st TFC was not in the race?
Thiem : Not until later.