Dominic Thiem: Tiredness was 100% a factor in French Open final defeat to Rafael Nadal
Dominic Thiem did not want to blame tiredness for his French Open final defeat to Rafael Nadal, but he does believe it was at least a factor.
Thiem lost to the Spaniard in the final for the second year running at Roland Garros to leave him still awaiting his forst Grand Slam career title.
However, the big talking point after the match was the scheduling of the match, with Nadal given an entire day’s rest after his semi-final while the weather forced Thiem to play through what should have been his rest day.
“[Beating Djokovic] was one of my biggest victories in my career, for sure,” Thiem said after the match.
“That’s a unique and also brutal thing, I guess, in our sport, in tennis, that I won six amazing matches. I beat one of the biggest legends of our game.
“Not even 24 hours later, I have to step on court against another amazing legend of our game, against the best clay-court player of all time.
“That also shows how difficult nowadays it is to win a Grand Slam.
“I was feeling so happy [after beating Djokovic], with such a good win, and today, of course I lost.
“I failed to make my biggest dream in my tennis life come true, so I don’t feel that good like yesterday.”
There was some suggestions leading up to the final that it could be put back to the Monday to allow Thiem time to rest, but that never appeared to be under any serious consideration by tournament chiefs.
However, Thiem says his defeat was not entirely down to fatigue.
“I mean, it was a Grand Slam final, so I didn’t feel tired in the match,” he added.
“But at the same time, beating Novak over two days with all the interruption, it leaves traces on the body and also on the mind. That’s 100%.
“The beginning was unbelievable intense of the match. And I dropped a little bit towards the end of the first set.
“Then I played the way I should play in the second set, very aggressive.
“I dropped a little bit my level. I mean, then Rafa, who won this tournament 12 times, he stepped on me.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Tennis365’s Legends of Roland Garros number one: Rafael Nadal
-
-
Comment: Serena Williams’ dismissal of Dominic Thiem damages tennis’ equality cause
-
Comment: Kei Nishikori must work harder on his fitness and make tactical improvements
-
T365 Recall: How Roger Federer magically won the 2009 French Open title
-
Latest
-
Tennis NewsTimeline of Andy Murray’s injury nightmare as he pulls out of Australian Open
Andy Murray is out of next month’s Australian Open here we look at the timeline of Murray’s injury troubles since 2017.
-
NewsAndy Murray ‘gutted’ as he shelves plans to play at Australian Open
Murray has been unable to solve a quarantine conundrum.
-
-
Australian Open‘Really unjustified’ – Boris Becker leaps to Novak Djokovic’s defence over his quarantine pleas
Boris Becker believes world No.1 Novak Djokovic has come in for unfair criticism after writing a letter to Australian Open chiefs.
-
Tennis NewsUmpire suffers heart attack as another Australian Open player tests positive for Covid-19
Spanish player Paula Badosa has announced she has tested positive for coronavirus during quarantine in Australia.
-
NewsLaura Robson unsure about tennis future after third hip operation
The 27-year-old said her priority now is to live a pain-free life.
-
Australian OpenAndy Murray believes he can still play at the Australian Open as he plots return to action
Former world No.1 Andy Murray is still hopeful of playing in next month’s Australian Open.
-
Australian OpenPlayers are urged not to feed the mice in their hotel rooms as Heather Watson turns to Tik Tok
Britain’s Heather Watson has turned to Tik…
-
NewsOn this day in 2014: Stan Wawrinka ends Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open run
The Swiss won a five-set epic to deny Djokovic a piece of history.
-
NewsNovak Djokovic hits back at allegations of being ‘selfish, difficult and ungrateful’
Djokovic says he finds it tough to be ‘a mere onlooker’.