2020 US Open champion, Dominic Thiem is one of the genuine threats in the men’s game. Over the past season, the Austrian has transformed himself into one of the contenders to challenge for the biggest prizes in the sport. After three attempts at a Grand Slam final, Dominic won at last season’s US Open.

Before winning his first Major, Thiem reached the final at the Australian Open 2020. Prior to that, he made it to the final at the French Open on two occasions, in 2018 and 2019, where he lost to the 13-time Roland Garros winner, Rafael Nadal. In their first meet in 2018, Rafa dismantled the Austrian. In the year later, Dominic performed better and managed to take a set.

Thiem: “Conditions at Roland Garros best for me”

Recently, the World No. 3 echoed his dream of winning the French Open. He said, “For me the biggest goal is Roland-Garros. That has always been the case in recent years. Because it’s still the tournament that I love most, where the conditions are best for me. I played the final as a junior back in 2011 (lost to Bjorn Fratangelo). And since that moment it’s the tournament that I’ve always wanted to win.”

However, when it comes to the French Open, the main obstacle for a player is to get past Rafa and the Austrian is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead of him in order to achieve that feat. 

Dominic Thiem: “Rafael Nadal is overpowering”

Thiem spoke about the Spaniard and stated, “He’s overpowering and I don’t know if I think I can. I’ve never managed to beat him in the tournament. In every other tournament, yes, because I’ve already made it, and beating him on this center court is probably one of the hardest things that has ever been in the sport. But still: It’s my big goal and I’ll try again in 2021.”

The Austrian lost to Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinal at last year’s French Open. He will look to perform better in this year’s edition, as he has been a two-time finalist at the venue. 

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