“Physically And Mentally I’m On The Edge”: Dominic Thiem After French Open 2020 Exit

On a breezy evening at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris, fans were treated to an absolute battle of mental strength and physical endurance from two good pals who gave it their everything for the win. After five hours of admiring tennis, between Dominic Thiem and Diego Schwartzman, the match went in favor of the Argentine, who earned his first career semi-final appearance at a grand slam. 

World No.3 Dominic Thiem shockingly fell short of victory in what was his fifth consecutive quarterfinal visit at Roland Garros. Both players displayed strong intentions of wanting the momentum early on in the match. As Thiem lost the first set, it showed glimpses of his fatigue kicking in to deter his game. 

The Austrian managed to comment on it during his post-game presser in which he said: “To be honest I was over the limit today, but if I would have won, I would have two days off and probably recover. Physically and mentally I’m on the edge. I gave everything. Amazing match. First in my career over 5 hours and fully deserves the win. It’s fine”

Thiem had to get past a tough test in the last 16 when he faced local hero Hugo Gaston. The Frenchman’s towering efforts put Thiem to the limit and he managed to scrape past it in five-sets. With just not enough time to prepare for the monumental clash versus Schwartzman, the Austrian knew he to find a different approach to the match.  

“I just tried to do everything I could, like in the days off, to recover,” Thiem said. “Tried something also new, which I’ve done before. For example, before the R16 I did nothing the whole day. Just to try to be on 100% again.”

Dominic Thiem and Diego Schwartzman: Friends beyond everything else

Matches like these are overloaded with excitement and make a tennis fan realize why we love this sport. The match between Thiem and Schwartzman went incredibly intense, but they shared a beautiful moment of friendship after the game which warms would certainly warm one’s heart. 

Moreover, Thiem awarded the due credit to his opponent for putting up a mega challenge which he failed to overcome. “I just told him that he deserves it. I think, he’s for the first time in top 10. We both gave everything & the thing in tennis is there is one loser & one winner, & despite that I am so disappointed, I am happy for him,” Thiem expressed.

It certainly marks an important victory for Schwartzman as he will now possibly get a chance to face Rafael Nadal, the man he outplayed at the 2020 Italian Open, or teenage sensation Jannik Sinner. 

On the other hand, it is indeed a tough loss for Thiem who stood as one among the title favorites this year. But the Austrian has said that this loss hurts a “little bit less” as it has come at the hands of his dear friend and former doubles partner. 

Reflecting on the Roland Garros campaign: Thiem 

Right from the dawn of 2020, Dominic Thiem has played his very best game. A first career grand slam title at the 2020 US Open saw him break records in men’s tennis. Owing to his clay-court brilliance, he came into Paris as a towering favorite to win the elusive crown. 

But unfortunately, Thiem fell short of the title, but is not willing to dwell on it too much. “I can’t say it was a bad tournament for me. I’m pretty happy about it,” Thiem said. 

“I’m not sad with my performance here in #RolandGarros,” he continued. “I mean, it was pretty short time with the long trip home, jet lag, and everything. Then, of course, the first slam, which is a special thing. Come here, play in pretty brutal conditions, I would say. I’m pretty happy.”

Dominic Thiem and Diego Schwartzman played an epic contest for 5 hours and 8 minutes which goes down as one of the best games at Roland Garros, ever. Schwartzman gathered his grip in the fifth set to seal the game 7-6(7-1), 5-7, 6-7(6-8), 7-6(7-5), 6-2, and punch his ticket to the semi-final at French Open 2020.