“Will Certainly Change the Result”: Dominic Thiem Analyses New Balls at French Open 2020
Follow Us
via Imago
Flushing Meadows, New York, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria reaches for a forehand against Alexander Zverev of Germany (not pictured) in the men’s singles final match on day fourteen of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
World No. 3 Dominic Thiem will enter the French Open 2020 as one of the strongest contenders. Thiem, who won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open 2020, has now entered the coronavirus “bubble” at Roland Garros.
Thiem was the runner-up at the 2018 and 2019 French Open and lost both times to his biggest adversary, Rafael Nadal. The Austrian is most likely to face either Nadal or World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the French Open.
Dominic Thiem bothered by new balls
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
During a recent interview, Thiem talked about the major difference in the new balls used at Roland Garros. Wilson has produced the balls this year, which were formerly manufactured by Babolat. Thiem believes that new balls are comparatively slower and might change the results.
USA Today via Reuters
Flushing Meadows, New York, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria hits the ball against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men’s singles final match on day 14 of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
“That will be the bigger difference. The Babolat were actually my favorite balls, they were nice and fast, perfect for my game, perfect for Nadal’s game too. The new balls will be slower, more open. That will certainly change the results a bit,” predicted Thiem, after testing the balls during his preparation in Vienna.
Trending
Roger Federer Breaks Partnership With Billion Dollar Worth Italian Brand Days After Coco Gauff’s Stunning Commercial Appearance
April 12, 2024 07:23 PM EDT
Bavarian International 2024: Taylor Fritz vs Jack Draper; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction
April 19, 2024 03:23 AM EDT
Tennis News: Rafael Nadal Confirms Retirement ; Doping-Banned Mikael Ymer Announces Comeback; Stefanos Tsitsipas Dubbed as Hypocrite
April 15, 2024 06:22 PM EDT
Andy Roddick Hat Tips Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian with Ultimate Praise for Women’s Sports’ Skyrocketing Success
April 17, 2024 01:14 PM EDT
‘First Time She’s Taller Than Me’- Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian’s Tongue-in-Cheek Humour on Full Display as He Marvels at Wife’s Nike Building
April 19, 2024 05:52 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
The new Wilson balls are expected to gather less dirt and moisture to maintain consistency. They are designed to endure longer rallies and are lighter than the old Babolat balls.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Apart from the new balls, the conditions will also be different in Paris. Originally scheduled for May, the French Open got postponed to October and will experience cooler temperatures.
A strong chance for Thiem
via Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his quarter final match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman Pool via REUTERS/Clive Brunskill
The 12-time French Open champion Nadal is the clear favorite to win the title, but Thiem has the game to topple the Spaniard on clay. Thiem showed his brilliance by ousting Nadal in the semifinals of the Australian Open 2020.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Italian Open champion Novak Djokovic will also be a genuine threat to either man’s hopes. He has won 31 of the 32 matches he has played this year.
Written by:
