‘We have improved a lot’ – Dominic Thiem’s warning to Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic

The ‘big three’ of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer will fail to sweep the Grand Slams in 2020, a confident Dominic Thiem has predicted.
Tennis’ titanic trio have all but monopolised the Grand Slam titles for years, although the younger players have started to get a little sniff at the crowns of late.
Thiem himself has lost the last two French Open finals to Nadal, with Daniil Medvedev also falling to the Spaniard in the US Open last year.
Meanwhile Stefanos Tsitsipas won the ATP Finals in a tournament in which Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic all struggled.
And all of that, according to Thiem, suggests that there is finally about to be a changing of the guard in tennis.
“I think we challenged them already, a lot,” Thiem said.
“Last year we competed – especially at the ATP Masters 1000 and ATP Finals – the last stage we have to conquer is the grand slam stage.
“I really think we will see a new grand slam champion in 2020. I really hope it’s me but there are also so many other strong guys who can achieve that.
“There has to be a time where we are ready to also win the biggest tournaments and hopefully – or probably – it’s going to happen in 2020.
“There are four or five young guys [who are ready to win a slam], but it’s not a sure thing. It could happen – the big three could win all four titles – because they’re just so good. They’re all big legends.
“But I think we, the younger guys, we have improved a lot and we are all used to winning big titles.
“Stefanos [Tsitsipas] and [Alexander Zverev] – they won ATP Finals and ATP 1000 titles – it really can happen this year.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios on Novak Djokovic: ‘He’s technically our LeBron James and has to set an example for tennis’
Nick Kyrgios on his latest criticism of Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray facing ‘huge year’, but brother Jamie says former world No 1 still has ‘a lot of great tennis in him’
Jamie Murray on brother Andy’s comeback hopes.
-
Tennis News
Daniela Hantuchova praises Naomi Osaka for being a ‘wonderful inspiration in women’s tennis’
“What a wonderful young grown-up lady she has become.”
-
Australian Open
Spanish player feels ‘abandoned’ after positive coronavirus test: ‘It’s the worst experience of my career’
“It’s far and away the worst experience of my career.”
-
Australian Open
Rafael Nadal’s thinly veiled jibe after Novak Djokovic quarantine pleas: ‘Some of us help each other privately’
Rafael Nadal has his say on the quarantine saga.
-
Kevin Palmer
Exclusive – Barbara Schett insists Novak Djokovic had good intentions with his letter to Australian Open chief
Barbara Schett talks to Tennis365 about Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 urges Australian public to give Novak Djokovic ‘another chance to explain himself’
“He was being a leader and it just came off wrong.”
-
Tennis News
Ashleigh Barty happy to ‘knuckle down’ and get back into routine ahead of Australian Open
Ashleigh Barty ready for her big comeback.
-
Australian Open
2021 Australian Open prize money breakdown: Smaller cheques for winners, boost for first-round losers
A look at the 2021 Australian Open prize money.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios ‘very misunderstood’, but he will ‘always have your back’, says fellow Australian
“We’re almost brothers – pretty close.”