US Open champion Dominic Thiem said Sunday that chasing future Slams will be easier now that he has that elusive first tennis major under his belt following three near misses.
The second-seeded Austrian thought he was heading for a fourth defeat in Grand Slam finals after going two sets down to fifth-seeded German Alexander Zverev at Flushing Meadows.
But the 27-year-old rallied to complete a stunning comeback 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) against his 23-year-old friend to secure a maiden Grand Slam title.
With that monkey off his back, Thiem says he expects to be able to play more freely at Slams as he bids to snatch titles away from the “Big Three” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
“It’s going to be or I expect that it’s going to be easier for me now in the biggest tournaments,” Thiem told reporters.
“Because, of course, I had it in the back of my head that I had a great career so far, way better career than I could ever dreamt of, but until today there was still a big part, a big goal missing.
“With this goal achieved, I think and I hope that I’m going to be a little bit more relaxed and play a little bit more freely at the biggest events,” he added.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Thiem’s win:
That winning feeling 😀@ThiemDomi I #USOpen pic.twitter.com/7Gy9SFaTJY
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 14, 2020
Three times a Grand Slam finalist previously..@ThiemDomi finally has a Major title 🏆#USOpen pic.twitter.com/UpKguQVS4J
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 14, 2020
This is what sport is all about. Respect, appreciation and friendship. Thank you 🙏🏼 Domi and Sasha for standing strong for your character values and seeing always what matters the most - love & respect for each other. Congratulations to both of you. @ThiemDomi @AlexZverev #USOpen pic.twitter.com/BrqUr06CS5
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) September 14, 2020
1990: Pete Sampras
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 14, 2020
1997: Pat Rafter
2000: Marat Safin
2001: Lleyton Hewitt
2003: Andy Roddick
2009: Juan Martin del Potro
2012: Andy Murray
2014: Marin Cilic
2020: Dominic Thiem
Male singles players to win their first Grand Slam title at the #USOpen in the last 30 years! pic.twitter.com/vOegTCtXJi
One of the nerviest conclusions to a Grand Slam final ever. Isn’t it marvellous?
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) September 14, 2020
Four consecutive Grand Slam men's singles finals have gone five sets. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/zoK6WoityW
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 13, 2020
Zverev-Thiem one of the biggest struggles from both sides of the court physically, mentally, tactically, technically I’ve ever seen. All culminating in slip up after slip up in the fifth set.
— Nick Nemeroff (@NNemeroff) September 14, 2020
Some numbers
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 14, 2020
Winners
Thiem - 43
Zverev - 52
Unforced errors
Thiem - 55
Zverev - 64
(Both -12)
Total points won
Thiem - 162
Zverev - 159
Congratulations to Thiem fans, commiserations to Zverev fans. Domi won 162-159, or 50.5% to 49.5%. Tight match.#GenerationGrigor has its first Major winner on its 6th try.
— Andrew Burton (@burtonad) September 14, 2020
Just the fifth Grand Slam final in the Open Era won by a player who was two sets down.
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 14, 2020
1974 French Open Borg d Orantes
1984 French Open, Lendl d McEnroe
1999 French Open, Agassi d Medvedev
2004 French Open, Gaudio d Coria
2020 US Open, @ThiemDomi d. Zverev
Unreal. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/jY79IhyVh4
Dominic Thiem the first man since Pancho Gonzales in 1949 to come back from two sets down to win a US Open singles title
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 14, 2020
That's good company
Some empty seats in Pancho's day too pic.twitter.com/BHt4sXJsyO
Dominic Thiem's stay in New York City:
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) September 14, 2020
- Loses 6-1, 6-2 to Filip Krajinovic
- Wins United States Open
Without a member of the Big 3 involved, it was tempting to think that winning a first major title would be easy... but this match showed that winning a major is never truly easy.
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) September 14, 2020
Dominic Thiem finally reaches paradise.
To put a more positive spin on this #USOpen final, Zverev and Thiem did an incredible job at showing just how hard it is to win a single Slam.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 14, 2020
Folks often take that for granted now with active players with 23, 20, 19 and 17 apiece who make it look easy. It’s not. Never will be.
What an emotional and vibrating match from these champions @AlexZverev @ThiemDomi 🙌🙌 Congratulations @ThiemDomi @massunico 👏👏👏👏 @usopen #usopen @usta 👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Yj7HwPt4hP
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) September 14, 2020
Way too much hate for this match, folks. Think of the stakes here for both these guys - the context of opportunity, the shadow of the Big Three. Not surprising the level of play was not always optimal...
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) September 14, 2020
A magnificent effort to win your first major @ThiemDomi, I feel very happy for you. It has been great to get to know you and @AlexZverev at the #LaverCup, I look forward to watching many more Grand Slam finals between you both. 🚀 https://t.co/lYWm5m8cXq
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 14, 2020
Living the Thiem dream. 🤗@ThiemDomi #USOpen pic.twitter.com/T0NyB4aHsk
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 14, 2020
Wimbledon 2019 final decided by a 5th set TB, and now this US Open....when it rains..
— Rob Koenig (@RobKoenigTennis) September 14, 2020
In #USOpen SF, Alexander Zverev won a match from 2 sets down for 1st time in his career.
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 14, 2020
In @USOpen final, Zverev lost a match from 2 sets up for 1st time in his career.
Zverev is 1st player in history to win a Grand Slam SF from 2 sets down and then lose final from 2 sets up.
Roland-Garros 2004: the last time none of the Big 4 were in a Slam QFs
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 14, 2020
AND
The last time there was a comeback from two sets to love down in a Slam singles final
Enter #USOpen 2020… pic.twitter.com/NxCmZzasiN
🔹 Reached first #USOpen semifinal
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 14, 2020
🔸 Rallied from two sets down to reach first major final
🔹 Fought for four hours in an incredible match
Two weeks to be proud of for Sascha Zverev 👏❤️ pic.twitter.com/bi1CjKZ3MI
How does Sascha Zverev get over that loss? Was 2 sets and a break up. Served for the Slam at 5-3 in the 5th set. Came back when Thiem served for the title. Had a physically struggling Thiem in the deciding set tiebreak and couldn't get through. Brutal loss. #USOpen
— PP (@PrashantSport) September 14, 2020
Massive credit should go to the USTA for putting on the US Open, and managing the endless operational hassle around the event given the circumstances. It was odd in some ways, but also brilliant in others, and far, far, far better than not having the event at all.
— Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) September 14, 2020