Thiem Changing His Tune about Roland Garros

[Meles]

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2017...s-younger-stars-going-deep-french-open/66335/

{Dominic Thiem says that younger players like himself and Rome champion Alexander Zverev have a legitimate chance to go very deep at the French Open.

The 23-year-old Austrian, who defeated Rafael Nadal in Rome, still said that the Spaniard is "100 percent he's the favorite."

Thiem is ranked No. 7, and the 20-year-old Zverev just broke into the Top 10 by defeating Novak Djokovic in the Rome final.

“It would be very nice to break into the Top 5 together with [Zverev]. It would be amazing, but Rafa is the big favorite,” Thiem said. “Novak is coming, for sure behind him. And then [Andy] Murray, you never know. He's such a big player.

"And after these three I think there are some players who can go very deep here who can make big surprises and to these players I count [Zverev] and myself.”

While veteran players in the draw like Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic and Juan Martin Del Potro have all won majors, no one born in the 1990s has yet to capture a Slam.

“I think normal that they are still so good with a little bit older age, but I wouldn't say that the younger players, they didn't make it. There is [Raonic] or [Nishikori] that have been in the Top 10 for a very long time," said Thiem. "Everybody should know how tough it is. Because they didn't win a Slam yet it doesn't mean that they didn't make it, because obviously the Big 4 are so strong that it's in this period really tough to win a big title.”

Thiem opens his Roland Garros campaign against Bernard Tomic on Sunday, while Zverev will play Fernando Verdasco on Monday.}

 

[Newcomer]

How many games will he win if he gets to Djokovic this time?

 

[Zebrev]

The first step to dominance is understanding your own potential.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

"And after these three I think there are some players who can go very deep here who can make big surprises and to these players I count [Zverev] and myself.”

@veroniquem Even Thiem Believes now They are coming

 

[smoledman]

If he didn't believe in his chances at this point, I'd write him off completely. He's been the 2nd best claycourter this year.

 

[Meles]

How many games will he win if he gets to Djokovic this time?

He seems to think he might beat both Nadal and Djokovic and he and Zverev will be in the top 5. Earlier this year he said 10-15 was his goal.

Looks like Nole has been fugazied

Looks like ravaging toaster burns coming for Nole's derriere once again.

 

[pame]

How many games will he win if he gets to Djokovic this time?

A cautionary reminder: In 2009 Nadal thrashed Soderling 6-1, 6-1 in Rome. Just 2 weeks later they met at RG in R16. The result of that rematch is well known.

Rome is not always a predictor of what's to come at Roland Garros

 

[Meles]

A cautionary reminder: In 2009 Nadal thrashed Soderling 6-1, 6-1 in Rome. Just 2 weeks later they met at RG in R16. The result of that rematch is well known.

Rome is not always a predictor of what's to come at Roland Garros

 

[MasturB]

Tricky match against Verdasco. I know Sash beat him at Madrid a few weeks ago, but always tough since now people expect him to go deep.

 

[Meles]

Tricky match against Verdasco. I know Sash beat him at Madrid a few weeks ago, but always tough since now people expect him to go deep.

I'm not really seeing it. Dasco has to have something to tee off on. Zverev will have him on the defensive much of the time and Dasco just too inconsistent under these conditions.

 

[MasturB]

I'm not really seeing it. Dasco has to have something to tee off on. Zverev will have him on the defensive much of the time and Dasco just too inconsistent under these conditions.

Nando likes to show up for the upset every now and then. Sasha still getting used to being the teenager with potential to one of the favorites to go deep.

 

[Newcomer]

A cautionary reminder: In 2009 Nadal thrashed Soderling 6-1, 6-1 in Rome. Just 2 weeks later they met at RG in R16. The result of that rematch is well known.

Rome is not always a predictor of what's to come at Roland Garros

Soderling already gave Nadal tough matches in the past, even though not on clay. Thiem on the other hand is being destroyed every time when he meets Djokovic. On any surface.

 

[Meles]

@Gary Duane
“It would be very nice to break into the Top 5 together with [Zverev]. It would be amazing, but Rafa is the big favorite,” Thiem said. “Novak is coming, for sure behind him. And then [Andy] Murray, you never know. He's such a big player.

"And after these three I think there are some players who can go very deep here who can make big surprises and to these players I count [Zverev] and myself.”

I believe Thiem thinks the and Zverev might make final of RG. If Zverev wins RG and Thiem makes final they are both in the top 6 nudging Fed down to 7.

 

[Gary Duane]

@Gary Duane
“It would be very nice to break into the Top 5 together with [Zverev]. It would be amazing, but Rafa is the big favorite,” Thiem said. “Novak is coming, for sure behind him. And then [Andy] Murray, you never know. He's such a big player.

"And after these three I think there are some players who can go very deep here who can make big surprises and to these players I count [Zverev] and myself.”

I believe Thiem thinks the and Zverev might make final of RG. If Zverev wins RG and Thiem makes final they are both in the top 6 nudging Fed down to 7.

I like Thiem's attitude. He seems to have true humility.

 

[rainingaces]

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2017...s-younger-stars-going-deep-french-open/66335/

{Dominic Thiem says that younger players like himself and Rome champion Alexander Zverev have a legitimate chance to go very deep at the French Open.

The 23-year-old Austrian, who defeated Rafael Nadal in Rome, still said that the Spaniard is "100 percent he's the favorite."

Thiem is ranked No. 7, and the 20-year-old Zverev just broke into the Top 10 by defeating Novak Djokovic in the Rome final.

“It would be very nice to break into the Top 5 together with [Zverev]. It would be amazing, but Rafa is the big favorite,” Thiem said. “Novak is coming, for sure behind him. And then [Andy] Murray, you never know. He's such a big player.

"And after these three I think there are some players who can go very deep here who can make big surprises and to these players I count [Zverev] and myself.”

While veteran players in the draw like Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic and Juan Martin Del Potro have all won majors, no one born in the 1990s has yet to capture a Slam.

“I think normal that they are still so good with a little bit older age, but I wouldn't say that the younger players, they didn't make it. There is [Raonic] or [Nishikori] that have been in the Top 10 for a very long time," said Thiem. "Everybody should know how tough it is. Because they didn't win a Slam yet it doesn't mean that they didn't make it, because obviously the Big 4 are so strong that it's in this period really tough to win a big title.”

Thiem opens his Roland Garros campaign against Bernard Tomic on Sunday, while Zverev will play Fernando Verdasco on Monday.}

Becker won Wimbledon at 17, Nadal won the French at 18. So they wouldn't be breaking any records if they did.

Doesn't part of you want to see the history and magnificent majesty of decima? I'm not a Nadal fan and I'd like to see it happen.

 

[Meles]

Becker won Wimbledon at 17, Nadal won the French at 18. So they wouldn't be breaking any records if they did.

Doesn't part of you want to see the history and magnificent majesty of decima? I'm not a Nadal fan and I'd like to see it happen.

La Cheatima must go down. I don't mind La Decima, but I'd rather see Big 4 la decimated on grass and clay. Thiem vs Zverev would be historic especially given the champions directly beaten for it to happen (Fed would be the only RG champ since Nadal not defeated.) Wilander and Noah were younger in 1983, but the field was weaker that year without Borg looming.
Historically Zed doubling on RG and Wimby would be unprecedented for his age.

 

[every7]

I'm not really seeing it. Dasco has to have something to tee off on. Zverev will have him on the defensive much of the time and Dasco just too inconsistent under these conditions.

Exactly. The book on Verdasco is he doesn't have the attacking consistency that he used to have, and a very effective form of attack against Verdasco is to play with safe margin and gradually take away his legs for the easy win.

He's not the tough customer he used to be unless he has a lights-out day with feeling the ball. He is too big to defend the court the way he used to because he is still heavily muscled but has lost a lot of leg speed.

 

[cc0509]

@Gary Duane
“It would be very nice to break into the Top 5 together with [Zverev]. It would be amazing, but Rafa is the big favorite,” Thiem said. “Novak is coming, for sure behind him. And then [Andy] Murray, you never know. He's such a big player.

"And after these three I think there are some players who can go very deep here who can make big surprises and to these players I count [Zverev] and myself.”

I believe Thiem thinks the and Zverev might make final of RG. If Zverev wins RG and Thiem makes final they are both in the top 6 nudging Fed down to 7.

Of for goodness sake, his statement doesn't suggest he believes that at all! He's basically saying Djokovic and Nadal have to be hit by a bus in order for him to win it.

 

[Meles]

Of for goodness sake, his statement doesn't suggest he believes that at all! He's basically saying Djokovic and Nadal have to be hit by a bus in order for him to win it.

Those compliments to the Big 3...

But then Thiem's real thoughts come out.
" I think there are some players who can go very deep here who can make big surprises and to these players I count [Zverev] and myself.”
"very deep" means SF or final.

 

[rainingaces]

La Cheatima must go down. I don't mind La Decima, but I'd rather see Big 4 la decimated on grass and clay. Thiem vs Zverev would be historic especially given the champions directly beaten for it to happen (Fed would be the only RG champ since Nadal not defeated.) Wilander and Noah were younger in 1983, but the field was weaker that year without Borg looming.
Historically Zed doubling on RG and Wimby would be unprecedented for his age.

Zed winning both of them would be cool and all, it's just that that isn't even a record (not one to stand the test of time). Even a final between Thiem and Zverev the total age of 43 would be beaten easily in the future.

The era coming up is not as special as the current one by far. 1 masters does not a legend make.

La Decima will never be broken in our lifetimes and Nadal will be the undisputable king of clay for 100+ years.

 

[Meles]

Zed winning both of them would be cool and all, it's just that that isn't even a record (not one to stand the test of time). Even a final between Thiem and Zverev the total age of 43 would be beaten easily in the future.

The era coming up is not as special as the current one by far. 1 masters does not a legend make.

La Decima will never be broken in our lifetimes and Nadal will be the undisputable king of clay for 100+ years.

Disagree. Fedal really wasn't that good on the whole given the head to head and surface domination (better than Agassi vs. Sampras). People decry Djoko and Murray's game style (not me so much, but I see their complaints). People make the mistake of judging the young players in the top 20 against an impossibly strong group of veterans (now finally falling off due to age off hard courts). All 4 of these players are very clutch competitors when they are in a close match. They also are much more serve oriented than 3 of the big 4 players. I see some epic matches coming in the next few years. The age of maturation in the modern game is much later because of the long, grueling baseline play that predominates. The standards many use on this forum are ridiculous especially when you consider that the current group of veterans had early success with major technology changing the game (Poly strings). Same thing with graphite helping that group of Americans come in at the right time (Chang et al). It sure looks exciting when these new players with new games on new technology come in, but a gritty group is emerging and the best thing is we have some generational clashes to look forward to while they enter their prime.

Also please tell me a historical figure who would match Zed winning the channel slam after just turning 20. Also doing it with the Big 4 still in some form.

 

[2HBH-DTL]

Thiem to win la decima.

 

[rainingaces]

Disagree. Fedal really wasn't that good on the whole given the head to head and surface domination (better than Agassi vs. Sampras). People decry Djoko and Murray's game style (not me so much, but I see their complaints). People make the mistake of judging the young players in the top 20 against an impossibly strong group of veterans (now finally falling off due to age off hard courts). All 4 of these players are very clutch competitors when they are in a close match. They also are much more serve oriented than 3 of the big 4 players. I see some epic matches coming in the next few years. The age of maturation in the modern game is much later because of the long, grueling baseline play that predominates. The standards many use on this forum are ridiculous especially when you consider that the current group of veterans had early success with major technology changing the game (Poly strings). Same thing with graphite helping that group of Americans come in at the right time (Chang et al). It sure looks exciting when these new players with new games on new technology come in, but a gritty group is emerging and the best thing is we have some generational clashes to look forward to while they enter their prime.

Also please tell me a historical figure who would match Zed winning the channel slam after just turning 20. Also doing it with the Big 4 still in some form.

Borg 1978. But that's not going to happen, I doubt he makes the final here.

I agree with you regards Fedal and Murrovic, the rivalries coming up could be better and more entertaining. I was talking in terms of shear numbers and achievements, Federer's 23 consecutive semi-final appearances, and 36 consecutive quarter-final appearances in grand slams.

Nadal's 81 clay match winning streak, 91.61% clay match win record, 46 match win streak at MC, well you get the point. Those records are not going to be beaten by the NextGen.

 

[MasturB]

I'm not really seeing it. Dasco has to have something to tee off on. Zverev will have him on the defensive much of the time and Dasco just too inconsistent under these conditions.

Nando likes to show up for the upset every now and then. Sasha still getting used to being the teenager with potential to one of the favorites to go deep.

Hey @Meles do you believe me now about Dasco liking to show up for the early upset and Sasha having to handle expectations changing from being a teenager with potential to being a favorite to go deep in the tournament and expected?

 

[MasturB]

Tricky match against Verdasco. I know Sash beat him at Madrid a few weeks ago, but always tough since now people expect him to go deep.

Dasco actually didn't play bad in Madrid. Sash wasn't really dominant that match. I wonder if Dasco put pressure on himself playing center court in the home tournament with the crowd loudly behind him.

 

[jstr]

The conditions of the clay may be a factor. A faster , drier surface may favor the Thieme / Wawrinka style and wet humid clay may favor a Nadal style ...

 

[MasturB]

I think no matter of it's dry and fast or damp and slow, if Stan is in the zone there's nobody stopping him in this tournament.

A slow court will help Stan because it gives him more time to set up and smash a shot. Once he has time to unload he can hit winners that his opponents will struggle to get to or hit back with anything on it and it will just set him up for an easy putaway.

 

[Meles]

Hey @Meles do you believe me now about Dasco liking to show up for the early upset and Sasha having to handle expectations changing from being a teenager with potential to being a favorite to go deep in the tournament and expected?

Fiasco played a great match and in the conditions it was rough for Zverev. Zverev perhaps not at his best with all the backhand UEs, but I suspect Fiasco was as much the cause as an off day. Would Zverev have won the match without the interruption? Nobody in either league I played went with Verdasco, nor the bookies. Thiem went down to Coric in Miami under similar odd circumstances. These things happen.

Zverev had been on a roll and his level came down some (back to more the mean). He'd looked fairly strong throughout the whole roll so didn't expect him to come out as slow as he did in this match. His serves were not as big for some reason starting out the match.

Good chance Zedbot will wildcard into Stuttgart with this early exit. More play time with Feddy.

 

[MasturB]

Fiasco played a great match and in the conditions it was rough for Zverev. Zverev perhaps not at his best with all the backhand UEs, but I suspect Fiasco was as much the cause as an off day. Would Zverev have won the match without the interruption? Nobody in either league I played went with Verdasco, nor the bookies. Thiem went down to Coric in Miami under similar odd circumstances. These things happen.

Zverev had been on a roll and his level came down some (back to more the mean). He'd looked fairly strong throughout the whole roll so didn't expect him to come out as slow as he did in this match. His serves were not as big for some reason starting out the match.

Good chance Zedbot will wildcard into Stuttgart with this early exit. More play time with Feddy.

Come on man, Verdasco is 33. Zverev 20. Which one do you think the delay and having to play two days in a row on clay had a bigger effect on?

 

[Meles]

Come on man, Verdasco is 33. Zverev 20. Which one do you think the delay and having to play two days in a row on clay had a bigger effect on?

Zverev had momentum is what I saw and was a fool to stop play. He should have played Fiasco another set and older players not in love with poor lighting generally. Splitting up the match makes it easier for the lesser player to score the upset.

 

[r2473]

Hey @Meles do you believe me now about Dasco liking to show up for the early upset and Sasha having to handle expectations changing from being a teenager with potential to being a favorite to go deep in the tournament and expected?

Nice call.

I don't care if Dasco is playing Tomic next round, he'll lose. One thing for sure about Dasco, he always backs up a big win with a loss.