Dominic Thiem’s tennis profession highlights, from his greatest pictures to his Massive Three duels, in his phrases

“This was actually the plan towards Rafa. Now I can say it as a result of I’m not going to face him anymore.”

Dominic Thiem is watching again one among many epic rallies he loved towards Rafael Nadal, explaining, in a demob-happy sort of means, his techniques towards the 22-time Grand Slam champion who beat him 10 occasions in 16 conferences.

The Herculean job of beating Nadal just isn’t one thing Thiem has to fret about anymore. Not as a result of Nadal is retiring subsequent month, however as a result of Thiem is thrashing him to leaving skilled tennis behind. He’ll say farewell this week, on the Vienna Open in his dwelling nation of Austria.

At 31, Thiem has been compelled to retire due to persistent wrist issues. Issues that he informed The Athletic in August have been partly a consequence of making an attempt to chase down the ‘Massive Three’ of Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

It was a job Thiem took on with relish: solely Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro have extra profession wins towards Nadal, Federer and Djokovic than these three have towards one another. Thiem has a 5-2 file over Roger Federer, and he beat Nadal six occasions and Djokovic 5 occasions, profitable 5 of his last seven conferences towards these two. Thiem, who received his sole Grand Slam title on the 2020 U.S. Open, misplaced two Roland Garros finals to Nadal and one Australian Open last to Djokovic — statistically the toughest and second-hardest Grand Slam last assignments in males’s tennis historical past.

Thiem, thought to be some of the widespread gamers on the tour, was blessed with a picture-book backhand, but in addition a devastating forehand, which he says usually did extra injury. He was extraordinarily fast, pulling off spectacular acts of retrieval when all appeared misplaced.

One of the vital watchable gamers of the final decade, The Athletic sat down with Thiem to relive among the key moments and rivalries from his profession as he says farewell to the game to which he gave a lot.

“Thanks very a lot for all that you’ve given to all of us, notably to tennis,” Djokovic stated when Thiem was given a lifetime achievement award on the Lotterien Sporthilfe Gala 2024 final month.

“You know the way a lot I love you and respect you,” added Nadal.

goodbye i’m sobbing

Nadal, Djokovic, Federer. all of them respect him a lot and understand how nice he was. it means the world to me. pic.twitter.com/PCo43fp7yH

— kieran (@opthiemist) October 3, 2024

That’s what his rivals thought, however what in regards to the man himself? What have been his best strengths and favorite pictures, and the way did he attempt to topple these three titans? That is Dominic Thiem, in his phrases.

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We begin with the scene of Thiem’s best triumph, his defeat of Alexander Zverev within the 2020 U.S. Open last.

Thiem had misplaced his earlier three Grand Slam finals — all towards Nadal or Djokovic — and in the summertime, informed The Athletic that he felt an enormous quantity of stress lastly going into one among these matches because the favorite. He got here out flat and misplaced the primary two units, earlier than rallying to power a decider.

It was an odd match in a near-empty stadium due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and none of it was weirder than the final-set tiebreak. Cramps had ruined Thiem; rigidity had overwhelmed Zverev. Thiem finally hauled himself over the road, thanks largely to 2 forehand-passing-shot winners.

How bizarre was it to play with no supporters within the stands?

It was the top of the third, possibly fourth week within the bubble in New York and I actually bought used to it. The empty stadium wasn’t a problem in any respect. All of the officers have been watching so we had extra spectators than earlier than! It was like 100 folks.

After we final spoke you stated you have been ‘too nervous’ for the primary two units, however then you definitely discovered a option to get into the zone. The tiebreak feels extremely tense, so what was going by means of your head as you hit these forehands?

There was not loads going by means of my head as a result of bodily, I used to be on the sting. With the expertise of all the previous matches, you already know that something can occur — he hits an ace and then you definitely’re match level down. I used to be turning off the mind and simply enjoying — what you name ‘the circulation’.

Is it laborious to get into that state? Particularly in such an enormous match when there’s a lot at stake? And particularly when, with the second level, whoever wins it’s up championship level?

It may be. Nevertheless it’s a very good feeling. Right here, I used to be happening intuition.

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For some time, Thiem was just about the one participant who may go toe to toe with Nadal on clay. The Spaniard received each of their French Open finals, in 2018 and 2019, however Thiem beat Nadal on the dust yearly between 2016 and 2019.

A type of conferences got here in Madrid in 2018, when Thiem received a quarterfinal in Nadal’s dwelling nation 7-5, 6-3. Thiem explains what his techniques have been towards the best clay-court participant of all time…

That is towards Rafa on clay. Most individuals affiliate you with the backhand and that’s your most well-known shot. Right here, you’re hitting an inside-out forehand after a succession of pictures into his backhand. How a lot did you want hitting that as nicely?

Folks affiliate me with the backhand however once I was enjoying my greatest tennis I used to be setting up the factors with my brow. It was so heavy. I used to be placing a lot energy, a lot spin on it. This level in comparison with the one towards Sasha (Zverev) within the U.S. Open last was far more structured, and this was actually the plan towards Rafa. Now I can say it as a result of I received’t face him anymore.

What was the plan?

Maintain it on his backhand after which play quick into the forehand. He had an analogous tactic, so the one on the offence first was dictating the factors. This level was very structured and it was an amazing, nice level.

In order that’s what you have been doing. And then you definitely hit that forehand out to his forehand?

Precisely, sure. As a result of he has such an amazing forehand and so he’s all the time just a little bit within the backhand nook to run round it. And the objective was to then play as quick as doable into his forehand.

And that flicked little backhand there to complete.

Yeah, it was a pleasant shot, however it was once more sort of intuition as a result of it was an amazing drop shot from him. I needed to do one thing particular to win the purpose.

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Of the Massive Three, Thiem’s recreation matched up notably nicely towards Federer, who the Austrian beat in 5 of their seven conferences.

Thiem had the stronger backhand and so usually had the sting in the event that they bought drawn into cross-court rallies the place it got here right down to whose single-hander was much less more likely to break down.

Within the 2019 Indian Wells last, which Thiem received in three units for his solely Masters 1000 title, a few backhands — one cross-court, one hit down the road — helped shift the match’s momentum after Federer had received the primary set. 

This one towards Federer, you’re a good distance again — however you fairly appreciated being again there and having that lengthy lead-up earlier than you hit your pictures.

It was an amazing return. However the margins are very small to make it efficiently, particularly towards a man like Roger who may play serve-and-volley. So you may have possibly 20, 30cm to hit the ball. It was an essential level. Fortunately, I hit it there at that second.

You didn’t all the time play with a single-handed backhand although, proper?

Yeah, I switched once I was 12 (on the recommendation of former coach Gunter Bresnik).

What do you assume are the professionals and cons of enjoying with one?

You get an even bigger swing. You too can put extra topspin than most gamers who use the double-hander. You too can play the slice, which is essential.

I suppose the disadvantages are a bit extra with the single-handed backhand — you need to be actually good to be on the earth’s high 10 or 20 as a result of the two-handed backhand is extra steady in lengthy factors, and within the return and passing pictures. The return is now some of the essential pictures. Additionally for those who see how briskly the gamers are nowadays — Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner — it’s a bit simpler to be steady within the rally. 

Nonetheless, there are exceptions with nice one-handed backhands like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov. They’ve distinctive ones. It’s robust and I’m fearful it’ll be (used) much less and fewer however hopefully, there’ll all the time be exceptions.

That is one other extremely highly effective shot. How did you get a lot energy on it? Typically folks assume it’s tougher to get as a lot energy as a two-hander, however you handle that. Was that simply your physique kind or is it timing?

That was the physique kind and the approach. I used to be practising so many backhands that at one level, the timing was there and yeah, with my physique kind, I generated a number of energy on the backhand and the forehand. That was what my entire recreation was based mostly on.

What was it about your physique kind that gave you that energy?

I had good stability all through my physique as a result of I’m not the leanest man. Once I was enjoying nicely, I used to be very steady within the abdomen and within the again. And that’s so essential if you wish to have a number of energy.

What have been the principle variations between these three guys and what have been your techniques towards Roger and Novak?

In opposition to Roger, the tactic was all the time to maintain him on the backhand, probably with a number of spin — that was the one likelihood to maintain him away from getting near the baseline. All the pieces else, he was simply too good. In Indian Wells or Madrid, it was a bit simpler than on another surfaces. Indoors the place it was faster was means harder.

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Thiem and Djokovic loved some spectacular matches, together with two five-setters: one at Roland Garros in 2019 and the Australian Open last the next 12 months. In between, they performed a fair higher match within the group stage of the 2019 ATP Finals the place Thiem produced what he considers presumably one of the best shot of his profession, in a 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(5) win that lasted nearly three hours.

A part of what made their matches so good was the distinction in kinds and the truth that Thiem was one of many few gamers with sufficient energy to hit by means of Djokovic’s defences. 

It is a nice volley from a 2016 match on the ATP Finals which possibly we don’t all the time affiliate with you.

Yeah, it’s not a technically good volley however it works.

Look how low you hit it. What was your method towards Novak?

The tactic was to blow him off the courtroom. That was the one likelihood I had. And again then, 2017 to 2019, I may do it (Thiem beat Djokovic 4 occasions on this interval). That was my largest weapon as a result of from the baseline, he’s simply too steady. He’s simply too good.

This match from the ATP Finals in 2019 is from that interval and also you produced that sort of ‘blow him off the courtroom’ efficiency.

Precisely.

And also you collapsed to the ground on the finish. You’re simply so exhausted.

Yeah, possibly this one was one of the best best-of-three match I ever performed and I knew that in that second. That’s why I look so amazed on the finish.

That forehand. How do you get that energy?

You may see there what I stated earlier than in regards to the stability within the abdomen. I slide in, I keep steady and modify. And simply go for it. And like I stated, that was the tactic towards Novak — simply to attempt to blow him off the courtroom.

That forehand down the road may be my favorite ever shot.

How come? You’ve hit extra spectacular pictures.

Yeah, however this one was so troublesome after a protracted rally. Sliding in I used to be going full energy and it’s most likely one out of a 100 likelihood that the ball goes in. It may additionally go into the center of the web or like 50 metres out, however it went in on a vital level.

This one is from the 2019 French Open semifinal towards Novak. Was it a deliberate physique serve? Would you like the gradual ball again since you’re comfortable producing the facility?

Yeah, that was additionally one among my largest weapons. Many gamers desire to play with the tempo of the opponent however I used to be effective if I bought gradual balls. I used to be even pleased with them as a result of I generated a lot energy myself.

Is that why you have been one of many gamers who may beat Novak pretty frequently, particularly on clay? He likes making gamers generate their very own tempo however you have been comfortable to try this.

Sure, I believe so, as a result of I injected that additional tempo in the midst of the rally to get him in bother.

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We end with a couple of examples of Thiem’s eye for the spectacular, on the backhand and forehand sides.

That is towards Nadal in Rome in 2017, a quarterfinal you received in straight units. Did you all the time have the velocity on show right here?

Yeah, I used to be all the time actually quick. It’s pure luck how your genetics are.

You may practise it a bit however it’s an enormous benefit to be quick across the courtroom and this backhand is absolutely, actually robust. It’s sprinting again after which hitting cross-court.

Is that tougher while you’ve been working backwards somewhat than facet to facet?

Yeah, undoubtedly.

 

This one is towards Mikhail Youzhny in Halle, Germany in 2018. Once more, that is simply outrageous energy.

The tempo of the rally was fairly gradual. Slice to slice.

Once I needed to enhance the tempo, I may do it — and this was a really good backhand.

What’s placing about this one is how low it stays over the web. You consider single-handed backhands usually looping up, however that’s barely over the web.

Yeah, that’s the one I like essentially the most. It’s even going a bit inside-out as a result of it has a little bit of the sidespin and topspin. That was my favorite shot.

Actually? So the forehand was usually the more practical wing however this was your favorite shot to hit?

Yeah, the backhand down the road. Many gamers didn’t count on it. That was the shot that might hit clear winners and also you wanted to have that.

One of many issues that made your backhand so distinctive was your potential to hit it in an open stance (along with his toes parallel to the web.) How did you get a lot energy and stability doing that? It’s such a troublesome factor to tug off one-handed.

It’s humorous, one thing that occurred through the years was that my left leg was a lot stronger than the fitting one by some means. After which mechanically I began to play many backhands within the open stance. From the start we have been discussing about it and if it was good or not, however ultimately I used to be enjoying it very well from the open stance with the left leg so we simply stored it that means and it labored very well.

Within the instance we simply noticed towards Youzhny your left leg is planted, and the fitting one’s up within the air. Did you’re employed on strengthening your left leg? 

No, it simply occurred naturally. I believe it was as a result of with the serve I used to be all the time leaping and touchdown on the left leg so it sort of occurred mechanically.

If you began hitting that open-stance shot, did you need to work on it loads?

Yeah, however all the time from once I began the single-handed backhand, the down the road one was all the time a bit extra snug to me than the crosscourt.

Why?

I simply discovered that the approach was simpler to minimize the road. I nearly performed it inside-out generally, and that’s simply how I began with my approach and that’s why I believe I discovered the down the road simpler. I attempted it loads as a result of I knew it was one among my largest weapons, and will shock many gamers with that shot. As a result of it sort of got here out of nowhere so it appeared like many occasions the opponent was very distant and that made it look much more spectacular.

This instance towards Nadal from an exhibition in Adelaide a couple of years in the past is an efficient instance of this. You hit a crosscourt return, and it appears to be like like he’s anticipating one other one crosscourt, and then you definitely ship one flying up the road. You additionally hit it from so huge — did it provide you with an enormous benefit that with that sturdy left leg you possibly can take an enormous step out huge? 

For certain, and once I was feeling good and comfy it made me belief my baseline recreation loads as a result of I knew I may shock all people. I used to be capable of keep in a crosscourt rally after which out of nothing play it down the road, and even once I was just a little bit within the center I may nearly play it inside-out, and that was stunning all people. I believe to beat one of the best gamers you want that shock shot.

Then this subsequent one, towards Gilles Simon, you run across the backhand in a means that’s nearly Nadal-like. Given how snug we’ve simply seen you have been hitting backhands from this type of place, what would make you resolve to as a substitute hit an inside-out forehand?

The principle factor was that it helped my footwork to run across the forehand, to remain aggressive. I used to be tending to be a bit lazy on the footwork. Once I was working across the backhand nicely to hit the forehand, then I knew that my footwork was on. That it was there.

When Simon hits his shot, Thiem is in the midst of the courtroom and appears higher set to hit a backhand (Tennis TV)

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We’ve seen pictures that showcase what made Thiem so particular, and why he was one of many solely gamers who may frequently beat the Massive Three, however I’m wondering if there are any he thinks we’ve missed. 

Do you may have a favorite shot you’ve ever hit, apart from that one towards Djokovic?

The tweener (between the legs shot) towards Guido Pella on the Australian Open (in 2018).

This one?

Yeah, this shot is a bit underrated.

Why was it so good?

(We each snicker after watching it — given how self-evident the reply is to this query — earlier than he barely sheepishly responds.) You may see. It’s simply… it’s actually, actually, actually good. So quick.

(I let loose an involuntary ‘oooh’ noise as we watch a replay)

What number of tweeners have you ever hit in your profession? 

I all the time tried it once I was getting lobbed. And this one, he’s on the baseline and it was a clear winner. I like this shot.

Usually tweener winners are with the opponent on the internet whereas Pella’s on the baseline. And it’s so low over the web.

Yeah, so low. However no, I used to be simply going for it and it was very fortunate as nicely.

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With Nadal and Murray exiting the stage, 2024 has been an enormous 12 months for retirements in males’s tennis. Thiem didn’t win as a lot as these two, however he was a key determine within the sport for years. A disruptor, a genuinely widespread individual and a participant whose stunning approach just about everybody beloved watching.

It feels unhappy that his years chasing down the Massive Three got here at such a bodily price, however he emphasizes how a lot he feels grateful to have shared the stage with them, somewhat than resentful that they usually dashed his goals.

Thiem says two issues are most significant to him. The primary is the hope that he has impressed children in Austria to select up a racket. The second goes past all of the spectacular pictures he hit: “I’d like to be remembered to begin with as a very good man. That for those who come again sooner or later folks such as you and are comfortable to see you. That’s an important.”

It’s a becoming sentiment for such a popular participant, and as Federer put it: “Tennis will miss you very, very a lot”.

(High photographs: High quality Sport Pictures / Getty Pictures; Design: Kelsea Petersen)