The Thiem Dream is becoming reality, especially on clay.
He has beaten Nadal four times, including Barcelona final 2019.
In 2017 he beat Andy Murray in Barcelona, lost to Rafa Nadal in the Mutua Madrid final and then beat Rafa in Rome before losing to Novak Djokovic.
In 2016 he beat Roger Federer in Rome and later lost to Djokovic in the French Open semi-finals.
He’s a threat to win any tournament on clay, where he stands far behind the baseline to maximize his wind-up and power, and then slides across the clay with ease.
Thiem has seemingly everything.
He’s a joy to watch, because he plays with joy.
He loves walloping a tennis ball with a whipping backhand and a forehand he’ll hit from anywhere on the court.
He really bends deep down and bites into his elaborate rocking service motion, and he loves smacking overheads into the stands.
He loves training, and plays in more tournaments than perhaps any other player on tour.
Some say he’s destined to burn bright but burn out early. For now, the Thiem Dream is beautiful to behold.
(all images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved)
Grand Slam Magazine 