Dominic Thiem: I don’t fear Rafael Nadal and have a plan to beat him

Dominic Thiem celebrates

Dominic Thiem admits Rafael Nadal is the huge favourite to win the French Open, but says he has no fear ahead of the match.

The pair will meet in the final at Roland Garros on Sunday – Thiem’s maiden Grand Slam showpiece – with the Spaniard looking to maintain his perfect finals record in Paris and claim his 11th title there.

However, Thiem has beaten the King of Clay twice in their last four meetings on the red dirt, in Madrid and Rome, and he insists he has a plan to come out on top again.

“He’s a big favourite against everybody,” admitted Thiem. “Still, I know how to play against him. I have a plan.

“I will try everything so that my plan is also going to work out a little bit here and not only in Madrid or in Rome.

“If I want to beat him, I have to play that way like I did in Rome and in Madrid. But I’m also aware that here it’s tougher. He likes the conditions more here than in Madrid, for sure. Best of five [sets] is also a different story.

“I’m not the one who has the pressure.”

ATP Tour Dominic Thiem French Open Grand Slams Rafael Nadal

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