‘My Best Game And A Little Bit Of Luck’ – Dominic Thiem Talks Federer Win In Madrid

MADRID: Once again Dominic Thiem has illustrated why he has the qualities to one day succeed Rafael Nadal’s position as the king of clay.

At the Madrid Open, he endured a two-hour marathon against Roger Federer before clinching another win over the 20-time grand slam champion. His fourth overall out of their six meetings on the ATP Tour. He has now defeated the Swiss player once on the grass, once on a hard court and twice on clay. Joining a small group of players who have a positive head-to-head record against Federer.

“I think the grass court win was in his bad year when he had injuries, so I don’t really count that one.” Thiem reflected. “But this year, of course, Indian Wells, and also now, was amazing.”
“I think I can hurt him with my strokes, especially on his backhand. Facing him always requires my absolute best game and also a little bit of luck, which I both had in Indian Wells and also here (in Madrid). That’s why I won these two matches.”

Now two out of two in matches played against the 37-year-old in 2019, the Austrian is not getting ahead of himself. Although some of his opponents will be wondering what is the key to his successes over the former world no.1? Although Thiem before is more to do with where he is playing and not how he is playing.

“I think his level, especially in the first set in Indian Wells, was outstanding and in Madrid, he was serving very well and I had big troubles with the return, until the third set. That made it difficult.” He said during a comparison of those two matches.
“Indian Wells suits me a little bit because it’s (the ball) bouncing high, it’s a little bit slower. Here (in Madrid) is also a very high bounce, still a faster clay court, but it is suiting me and.’
“I think even a bit tougher to play him on the faster hard court or on the grass.”

Thiem now has an opportunity to defeat all three members of the big Four prior to the second grand slam of 2019. He was also victorious over Rafael Nadal at the Barcelona Open. To score the hat-trick he needs to get the better of world No.1 Novak Djokovic. His opponent in the Madrid semi-finals on Saturday.

“He’s won the last three Slams and he is at the top of the ranking again. So the challenge couldn’t be bigger.” Thiem previewed.
“It’s, of course, a very tough tournament because I’ve only faced so good players and tomorrow is another one. So I’ll try to keep up my good momentum which I have now and give my best again.”

Thiem trails Djokovic 2-5 in their head-to-head but has won their two most recent matches. Both of which were on the clay.

Thiem Vs Big Four

Vs. Andy Murray

Vs. Federer 

NOTE: Madrid win not updated in ATP H2H yet

Vs. Nadal

Vs. Djokovic