Congratulations, Dominic Thiem. Your reward? Rafael Nadal
PARIS — How do you resolve an issue like Rafael Nadal, particularly on the clay courts of Roland Garros? It’s the query going through Dominic Thiem because the Austrian prepares for Sunday’s males’s closing on the 2019 French Open. The excellent news is that it is a query he requested himself 12 months in the past; the not-so-good information is that he didn’t reply it.
Solely two males have crushed Nadal at Roland Garros since he first walked via the gates in 2005. Robin Soderling managed it in 2009, when Nadal’s knees had been giving him hassle, and Novak Djokovic did it in 2015. Nadal has gained the title an unbelievable, virtually ludicrous 11 instances, and is the large favourite to make it 12.
“At all times, to play Rafa right here on this courtroom, is all the time the last word problem, one of many hardest challenges in sports activities generally,” Thiem stated Saturday after his five-set, two-day semifinal win over Novak Djokovic. “I performed a very good match in opposition to him in Barcelona (beating Nadal in straight units within the semifinals). It was six weeks in the past. So after all I attempt to do comparable, regardless that it is means harder to play him right here. However I attempt to preserve all of the constructive feelings I am having from this superb match right now, and go together with a very constructive thoughts into the match tomorrow, after which we’ll see.”
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When there is a web throughout the courtroom, there’s an opportunity. And maybe Thiem has extra likelihood than most. His win in Barcelona was his fourth on clay over Nadal; solely Djokovic (seven) has gained extra. Thiem is aware of tips on how to do it.
The issue, although, is that that is Courtroom Philippe Chatrier, a courtroom with run-backs so deep and a lot room on the sides that Nadal, greater than anybody, has been capable of run down so many balls. At instances, it appears inconceivable to hit via him.
Thiem has the ability, however he’ll want a sport plan. And that is the place his change in coaches from Gunter Bresnik, the previous coach of Boris Becker who guided Thiem for 15 years, could possibly be key. In February, Thiem employed Nicolas Massu, the Chilean who gained the singles and doubles gold medals on the 2004 Olympics, and the pair gelled instantly. Thiem gained his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, on onerous courts, in March and picked up his second title of the yr in Barcelona quickly after.
Ask the Austrian media who observe Thiem week in, week out all through the season, and they’re going to inform you that since his cut up from Bresnik, he appears to be taking part in with extra freedom, expressing himself extra on the courtroom. Up to now fortnight, he has dealt patiently with troublesome conditions, particularly the delay in opposition to Djokovic, and are available out the opposite facet, nonetheless smiling.
Dominic Thiem defeated Novak Djokovic in 5 units within the semifinals to ebook a return journey to the French Open closing, the place 11-time champ Rafael Nadal is ready. YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
In an interview on the Mutua Madrid Open final month, Thiem informed ESPN.com that he believes he’s a greater participant than he was 12 months in the past, higher geared up to deal with Nadal. On paper, his sport ought to stack up effectively — sturdy sufficient on the backhand to focus on the house Nadal leaves on the forehand facet, ok on serve to pressure the Spaniard again.
With Nadal having gained Rome coming into Roland Garros and with an additional day’s relaxation having accomplished his semifinal in opposition to Roger Federer on Friday, it should most likely take a near-perfect efficiency from Thiem to also have a likelihood Sunday. There could be no dips, no drop in focus or focus. The great factor is he is aware of what to anticipate being within the closing; the even higher factor is that he’s taking part in nice tennis.
“It is an unbelievable alternative,” Thiem stated Saturday. “I stated final yr that I hope to get one other likelihood in a Grand Slam closing and hope to do higher then, so tomorrow there may be the possibility. I am feeling effective. I am filled with adrenaline, after all, nonetheless from right now’s match, and in addition I’ll have that tomorrow. So I am not going to be drained. I am prepared to depart all or the whole lot what I’ve out on the courtroom tomorrow.”
He’ll want it, after which some. However no less than he is given himself the possibility.