[ad_1]
US Open champion Dominic Thiem mentioned Sunday that chasing future Slams will probably be simpler now that he has that elusive first tennis main underneath his belt following three close to misses. The second seeded Austrian thought he was heading for a fourth defeat in Grand Slam finals after going two units all the way down to fifth seeded German Alexander Zverev at Flushing Meadows. But the 27-year-old rallied to finish a surprising comeback 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) in opposition to his 23-year-old pal to safe a maiden Grand Slam title. With that monkey off his again, Thiem says he expects to have the ability to play extra freely at Slams as he bids to grab titles away from the “Big Three” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
“It’s going to be or I expect that it’s going to be easier for me now in the biggest tournaments,” Thiem advised reporters.
“Because, of course, I had it in the back of my head that I had a great career so far, way better career than I could ever dreamt of, but until today there was still a big part, a big goal missing.
“With this aim achieved, I feel and I hope that I’m going to be somewhat bit extra relaxed and play somewhat bit extra freely on the largest occasions,” he added.
Thiem got here into the US Open ultimate having misplaced in 5 units to Djokovic within the ultimate of the Australian Open earlier this 12 months.
He additionally misplaced within the ultimate of the French Open in 2018 and 2019, both times to Nadal.
Thiem said the near misses were a chain around his neck during Sunday’s last-two showdown on Arthur Ashe as he was overcome with nerves in the first two sets.
“Honestly, I feel it did not assist me in any respect as a result of I used to be so tight to start with,” he explained.
“I imply, I needed this title a lot, and naturally there was additionally in my head that if I lose this one, it is 0-4.
“It’s always in your head. Is this chance ever coming back again? All these thoughts, which are not great to play your best tennis, to play free,” he added.
Life’s work
Thiem mentioned lifting the US Open was a dream come true.
“I achieved a life goal, a dream of myself, which I had for many, many years. Of course, as a kid, as well, when I started to play tennis. But back then it’s so far away,” he advised reporters.
“Then I got closer and closer to the top. At one point I realized that, ‘Wow, maybe one day I can really win one of the four biggest titles in tennis.’
“I put quite a lot of work in. I devoted principally my complete life till this level to win one of many 4 majors. Now I did it. That’s additionally for myself an ideal accomplishment.”
Thiem starts his bid for second Slam in just over a week at the French Open where he will seek revenge for those two defeats to Nadal.
The Austrian limped through Sunday’s tie-break but said he would be fit for Roland Garros after the realization he is a Grand Slam champion sinks in.
Promoted
“I feel bodily I’m going to be tremendous, 100 %. I’m going to have sufficient time to get better from all of the troubles I had,” he said.
“But the query is how I’m going to do it with the feelings mentally. Obviously, I’ve by no means been on this scenario. I achieved an enormous, huge aim. I do not know the way I’m going to really feel the subsequent days.”
Topics talked about on this article
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink