Dominic Thiem has been determined to stay at the top of the men’s tennis world after failing to win the ATP Finals title for the second consecutive year.
The world number 3 excels by one set and gets two chances to break in the second set against Daniil Medvedev in the top of the 2020 ATP Finals.
Stefanos Tsitsipas did against the Austrian in last season’s ATP Finals final, Medvedev struggled to turn things around and won 4-6 7-6 6-4.
The 2020 US Open champion stated that there was not much he would have done differently against Medvedev in their fifth meeting.
READ ALSO : Silence Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev Bring Home the ATP Finals Title
“To be honest, I’ll keep doing the same thing again, playing lots of slices,” admitted Thiem.
“The way he broke me in the third set was really incredible. It puts out stunning returns. I had several opportunities to convert the game. He’s had some impressive rallies. “
“Maybe if you look at the whole tournament, he is the best player. He did not lose a set in the group stage, beating the world number 2 and world number 3 in the semifinals and finals. So he definitely deserves to win the title.”
The defeat was certainly like a bitter medicine that is hard to swallow. After the Austrian had gone ahead by one set and fought hard through two top 2 players Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the previous round.
However, the 2019 Australian Open runner-up quickly changed his point of view after the 2020 season which went like a roller coaster, including when he won the biggest title of his career and played in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When the world of tennis, our work comes back – I mean, lucky to be back – all different things to life in a bubble, playing behind closed doors. There are many, many new experiences,” added Thiem.
“I think this season is still a very difficult season for a lot of people. We are athletes and I talk about tennis players, we are very honored to do our job.”
“If I talk about tennis, about my job, I mean this season will still be an extraordinary season. I have achieved one of the biggest goals of my career by winning a Grand Slam title. So, even though this season has been tough, this season will always have a special place in my heart.”
Last season after his defeat in the ATP Finals final the Austrian national came out with some of the best games of his career, including advancing to the 2020 Australian Open final (losing to Djokovic) and after the ATP tournament was suspend due to the COVID-19 pandemic which lasted six months, he achieved one of the highest achievements of his career by winning the US Open title.
What will happen in the 2021 season? Far from being satisfied with being ranked 3rd in the world, the 2020 US Open champion is determined to close the gap between himself and the world’s best tennis player.
“This season is still a very intense season, especially since the ATP tournament resumed. So, I haven’t set any goals for the upcoming season. Of course I want my rank to improve,” said Dominic Thiem.
“I mean, this season and last season have been amazing seasons. I played amazingly and went further in many big tournaments. That’s something I want to do next season too. If I can do it, I think I’ll get a chance too.”
