Dominic Thiem on the beloved crackle of narrow scores, high expectations and the man-to-man duel.
Dominic Thiem could face the ultimate tennis hardness test in Rome. After his victory over Rafael Nadal in Madrid, if everything goes according to plan, they should play Rafa again in the quarter-finals. But to beat the Spaniard twice during a clay court season? Almost impossible. In 2016 Thiem had won against Nadal in Buenos Aires – and he returned the favour in Monte Carlo. In 2017 Thiem beat him in Rome – to get a lesson in Roland Garros.
Rome 2018 could therefore be a milestone on the way to the great goal, a triumph in Paris. After two semi-finals there in 2016 and 2017, the Lichtenwörth native knows: “The next logical goal must be the final”. But he also knows: “From the first round on, you play against people who are extremely good tennis players.”
Thiem assumes the high expectations of his fans, which he has worked hard for, he explained further in an interview with profil.at. “Sport without fans would not exist, so they have the right to expect something. I’m a big fan of Chelsea FC and I get grumpy when they play a boot together.”
And of course, even a professional like Thiem doesn’t always have glory days, like against Nadal. “Of my 80 games a year, five make me feel incredibly good,” says Thiem. “Five makes me feel really bad. I can’t do anything.” And the rest? “With everyone else, I must try to overcome my shortcomings.” In contrast to team sports, you can’t just be changed, “that brings a certain truth to tennis,” says the 24-year-old.
When things get tough, Thiem likes it best anyway, as he admits. “The tighter it gets, the more good it’ll do me. “The crackling at 5:5, 30:30, that’s where the tension is greatest.” He was always in a positive mood in such situations. “I always feel like I’m winning this. Always. But the other one probably feels the same way.”
Thiem doesn’t like the comparison to boxing, as many tennis pros do, despite the duel “man against man”, by the way. “I don’t see my opponent as an enemy I must defeat. but as the one who sets the bar above which I must rise.”
In Rome, the yardstick for the opening round is Fabio Fognini, who won against Gael Monfils in round one. In the two encounters to date, Thiem confidently crossed the bar in two sets.
To the Men’s Individual Draw in Rome
Dominic Thiem about patience, nervousness, Thomas Muster, the constant learning process and the perfect example of Roger Federer… click here for the complete interview!