Reigning US Open men’s champion Dominic Thiem has said that with the tennis pool replete with stalwarts and emerging superstars, it won’t be easy beating the big names going forward.

Thiem lost the title showdown at the ATP Finals to Russian Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.

Road to victory tougher against bigger talent pool, says Dominic Thiem

He said finishing on the winning side won’t get any easier as a host of emerging talents are pushing the big stars for glory.

Dominic Thiem Joins Andy Murray in an Elite Club With Amazing Record Against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic

“Everything is so close. Rafa (Rafael Nadal) and Nole (Novak Djokovic) are up there still. Roger (Federer) is coming back next year,” Thiem said.

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He named six to seven players who he believes will vie for big titles and top-ranking points in the seasons ahead.

“Guys like Dan (Daniil Medvedev) and Sascha (Alexander Zverev), Stefanos (Tsitsipas), and since this year also (Andrey) Rublev, there are I think six, seven guys who will fight for the top spots the next years,” the Austrian said.

Thiem optimistic about new season

Looking back on a season marred by the novel coronavirus pandemic, Thiem said he hoped the next year will see an element of normality return to sports.

“I think it is still a very tough year for many, many people. We athletes, and I’m speaking of tennis players, we are very privileged to do our jobs,” the Austrian said.

He said he was hopeful that the pandemic will soon pass and people will be able to return to their normal lives.

2020 will remain a special year to the Austrian

Thiem said tough as it is, 2020 will remain a special year for him.

“Even though it’s a tough year, it will always have a special place in my heart this year, 100 percent. But beside that, I hope that this pandemic is going to come to an end very soon, that people can start to work again, can have a normal life again, and I hope that it’s coming, well, to an end as soon as possible,” Thiem said.

Coming off an injury-induced lay-off which saw him miss the Paris Masters, Thiem beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nadal in London on the way to the final.

Also a finalist last year, Thiem couldn’t clinch his maiden Finals title in the second straight year as a red-hot Medvedev beat him in three sets.