Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem won the US Open back in 2019 after he defeated Alexander Zverev in the finals. It was his first Grand Slam title after he was defeated thrice in the finals before. At the 2019 US Open, he came from 2 set down to win the clash against the German.
Recently he opened up on a variety of issues to GQ Magazine. The Austrian feels that the Grand Slams are given way too much attention by the media and the fans. He believes that events like the Masters 1000, ATP 500, and ATP 250 events are not given the same importance which is a shame.
“I don’t know what it was like 20 years ago, but since I’ve been playing pro, it’s true that Grand Slam tournaments are very important,” Thiem said. “But everyone knows, and we players first, how difficult it is to win a Masters 1000, a Masters, an ATP 500 or an ATP 250. So I believe that indeed, they are underestimated.”
The US Open champion understands the hype going around a Grand Slam but he feels that people do not understand the difficulty level of winning other events on tour.
“Grand Slams have been there for years and years, there is a tradition around them, these are the four most important tournaments in the world,” the 27-year-old said. “Many people who are not particularly tennis fans have become or can become so by watching these Grand Slam tournaments. It is so special. So I understand this craze but you also have to know how to appreciate the other tournaments which are very hard to win.”
The Austrian tennis star missed the US Open this season due to a wrist injury. The 27-year-old highlighted how he had fond memories at the Flushing Meadows and he missed going out there again this year.
“Indeed, New York will always be special for me: I won my first Grand Slam title there. And I have always loved New York,” he said. “Usually in the Grand Slams people are nice and these are the biggest tournaments for us in the season so we want to be there.”
“I was sad not to do Wimbledon this year. I think this is the first that I missed for several years, maybe 26 or 27 in a row (26). I tried everything to play but I have to think about my health, about my wrist,” Thiem concluded.
