Dominic Thiem on Alexander Zverev: "He's really a good guy"
A few days after the US Open final, Dominic Thiem only has warm words for his final opponent Alexander Zverev. The 27-year-old praised his longtime friend in the highest tones.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Sep 16, 2020, 02:49 pm
"It was something special that our common path leads us to a Grand Slam final with a long friendship and rivalry," said Thiem on Tuesday in Vienna. Thiem and Zverev have known each other since 2014, despite the age difference of four years, both came on the ATP tour at the same time.
And further: “In the four hours the friendship was completely hidden. But it was difficult for me at the awards ceremony. It would have been easier against someone else. He was really destroyed, shed a few tears. "
Zverev was already leading with two sets and a break, but had to go over five sets. There he hit the match at 5: 3, and finally lost 6: 8 in the tie-break. An emotional speech followed in which Zverev also mentioned his parents, who tested positive for the corona virus before the tournament.
Thiem wishes Zverev Grand Slam title
"I wish him from the bottom of my heart that he will win such a big title as soon as possible," said Thiem. In 2018 Zverev won the World Tour Finals and played his first major final at the US Open 2020. “The day he succeeds will be a very happy one for me too. He's a really good guy, you can only repeat that over and over again. "
After the match, Zverev congratulated his opponent in an impressive way, the two even made their own rehearsed greeting before they hugged.
A little later, Zverev should contact Thiem again. "He left me a voice message at three or four in the morning," revealed Thiem. “He talked about the match and congratulated me. An incredibly grand gesture. I can only say that I wish him the best. "