In any sport in general, we came across stories of utter dominance of a select few players or a few teams in any given era. While these stories intrigue us as sports fans, they also lead us to neglect the efforts of other players who are overshadowed by these greats and in the process, never get their due recognition in the history of that particular sport.
In men’s tennis, for the last decade and a half now, the ‘big three’, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have overwhelmingly dominated the tennis of our generation in colossal proportions. The fact that the last ten Grand Slams have been shared by the ‘big three’ tells you a story in itself and what is more fascinating? They all seem to be in the twilights of their respective careers. The likes of Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Stan Wawrinka would consider themselves really unlucky, having had to co-exist alongside theses unassailable, invincible forces of men’s tennis.
And that fate and pain of having to share the generation alongside Federer, Nadal and Djokovic seems to have been transferred to the young and next generation of men’s tennis as well. The likes of Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and many other young guns still haven’t really found a way to get past these stalwarts of the game.
However, in spite of the continued dominance of the ‘big three’, one man who has dared to dream big this season is none other than the 2019 Roland Garros runner-up and heir apparent to Nadal’s throne on clay, Austria’s Dominic Thiem. His numbers and some of the results that he has achieved up until this point of the year tell you a staggering story of his ascendance and 2019 indeed has been a coming of an age kind of the year for the 25-year old, hugely talented Austrian.
Let’s have a look at Thiem’s performances this year so far that have promoted his stature as one of the upcoming, most-promising tennis star of today’s generation.
First Masters 1000 Title at Indian Wells
Following an injury set back which forced Dominic Thiem to retire in his 2nd round match at the Australian Open and blip in his form at Argentina Open and Rio Open where he suffered early exits, the Austrian arrived to his first Masters 1000 event in the deserts of California, motivated and determined to arrest his slide in the ongoing season.
Following a relatively smooth sail up until his quarter-finals, where he benefitted owing to Gael Monfils withdrawing from their match, met a rampant Milos Raonic in the semi-finals.
Their semi-final clash was perhaps the most sensational match of the tournament all week as the resilient Austrian narrowly edged past his Canadian challenger in three tough, absorbing sets to advance to his 3rd Masters 1000 final.
If the semi-final was sensational, Thiem’s final against the Swiss maestro Federer was a blockbuster. In an elegant battle between two single-handed backhanders, youth prevailed over mighty experience as Thiem regrouped brilliantly after losing the first set to win his first ever Masters 1000 title in the deserts of California.
His first Masters 1000 title glory at the Indian Wells is perhaps the biggest win of Thiem’s career so far and the fact that the win came after defeating Roger Federer in the finals would have made his maiden journey towards his Masters 1000 title even sweeter.
First title triumph at Barcelona
Following his glorious run to the title in the Californian desert, the 25-year old Austrian suffered few major bumps along his journey as he slumped to defeats at the Miami Open and the Monte Carlo Masters in his Round of 64 and Round of 16 clashes respectively.
A great clay-courter, perhaps second best after the ‘King of Clay’ himself on current form, Thiem would have been bothered by his shock early exit at the hands of Dusan Lajovic at Monaco.
However, a level-headed, stable and matured person that he is, gathered himself brilliantly to triumph at Barcelona Open to record his first ever Barcelona Open title and second title of 2019. En route, his victory at Barcelona, Thiem, the apparent heir to Nadal’s throne on clay, knocked out the Spaniard in straight sets 6- 4, 6-4 in their meeting at the semi-finals and won for a rare fourth time on clay over the ‘King of Clay’ in four consecutive years.
Stupendous run to the finals at Roland Garros
After a monumental win over Nadal at Barcelona and a resilient win over the comeback man Federer at Madrid, Dominic Thiem was the third favourite after Nadal and Djokovic to win the 2019 French Open prior to entering the second slam of the year.
After all, a powerful single-handed backhand, tremendous forehand with a heavy top-spin, fabulous movement on the court and a person with a big heart, the dynamic, young Austrian seemed to have all the ingredients to win his first ever Grand Slam on the red clay of Roland Garros this season. Moreover, he was also a runner-up at the French Open in 2018.
And just like last year, Thiem faltered yet again in the finals against a rampant Rafael Nadal. At his own fortress, the Spaniard overwhelmed the Austrian with his tenacity and aggression and the Austrian simply did not have enough answers. Nonetheless, for the first time in their four meetings, Thiem won a set against the Spaniard at Paris and showed a much improved overall performance at this year’s Roland Garros.
In what was perhaps the match of this year’s French Open, Dominic Thiem conquered world No.1 Novak Djokovic in titanic five-setter in 4 hours, 13 minutes to win 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 in the match that was spread over two days.
His victory over Djokovic at this year’s French Open was perhaps the biggest victory of Thiem’s career so far.
French Open crown might still be an elusive prize for the young Austrian, but this already has been a coming of an age kind of a year for Dominic Thiem.
Having won two titles in the year so far, Thiem has also defeated Federer twice and Nadal and Djokovic once each this year so far and undoubtedly after the ‘big three’, he is the next big thing of today’s men’s tennis.
Having played just 27 matches on Grass so far in his career, can Dominic Thiem transcend his superb form on to the Grass courts this season? Can the ‘Prince of Clay’ adapt his game to meet the demands of grass court season? It would indeed be fascinating to witness how Thiem shapes up at upcoming season on grass.
