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In just over 24 hours, Dominic Thiem has experienced the widest range of emotions possible. On Saturday, the 25-year-old won an epic five-set victory over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, becoming the first Austrian to reach several Grand Slam finals. But Sunday, after winning the second set of the league match against Rafael Nadal, 12-time champion, the only set that he won in Paris against the Spanish, the fourth-seeded won only two games in the last two sets combined en route to a defeat.
"I'm from paradise to hell," Thiem told NBC's John McEnroe after the awards ceremony. "But it's hard at the moment, because you have to beat seven good players to win this tournament and in the end you have to beat one or two legends with more than 15 grand slams and if you're not 100% in each department, do not go there.
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After losing a set in each of its first three games this season, Thiem has regained its pace by defeating former world number-six Gael Monfils and Russia's Karen Khachanov, who will reach the 9th place in the world rankings on Monday. the highest of his career. four games in one set. Then he increased his level again to oust Djokovic. But Nadal was still between the Austrian and the Musketeers Cup.
"It's a unique and brutal thing in our sport, tennis, that I've won six incredible games. I yesterday beat one of the biggest legends of our game. Not even 24 hours later, I do not have to face another incredible legend of our game, that of the best clay-court player of all time, "said Thiem. "It also shows how difficult it is to win a Grand Slam. That's what I meant yesterday. I felt so happy, with such a beautiful victory, and today, of course, I lost it. I have not managed to achieve my biggest dream of my tennis life, so I do not feel as good as yesterday. "
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There is no doubt that Thiem had a great race at Roland Garros. His semifinal win was a real roller coaster, as Thiem let slip two points for his serve at 5-3 in the fifth set against Djokovic, before ending the series of 26 major victories for the Serbian side. stop the top The dream of the seed to capture a fourth consecutive slam.
It was the third consecutive day of world No. 4 and his match against Nadal was his fourth consecutive. But Thiem was adamant about his defeat against Nadal because the legendary leftist was simply the best player.
"It was a Grand Slam final, so I did not feel really tired, but of course, it's going to leave some marks, all these last four days and the whole tournament long," Thiem told McEnroe. "But yes, I played against a guy who won this tournament 12 times, so that's not the reason I lost."
Thiem was closer than ever to his opponent against Nadal at Roland Garros, swapping blow with the 33-year-old in two sets. At their three previous FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings on Paris clay, Thiem had not won more than four games in a set. But all that was needed on Sunday was a slip – in this case, a neglected service game to open the third set – for Nadal to capitalize.
"I closed [the second set] 7-5 and then I fell into my game for some reason. It's not that bad against other guys, "Thiem told NBC. "But Rafa has trampled me and that's why he's too good."
That does not take anything away from Thiem's good year. He won his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the BNP Paribas Open and defeated Nadal before winning the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Trophy. Thiem leaves Paris in fourth place at the ATP Race To London.
"I had, until now, my best year, that's for sure. I've won Indian Wells, Barcelona, the final here again. Even if I did not win the tournament, two consecutive finals, it's nice. I think I have developed my game. I was also closer than last year in the final, I have the feeling, especially in the first two sets, "Thiem said. "So I'm on the right path. And I failed today, but my goal and my dream is always to win this tournament or win a Grand Slam tournament. I will do my best next year.
"I gave everything I had during those two weeks. That's all I could do. It was not enough at the end, but I went very far.
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