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Dominic Thiem Roland Garros 2020
Australian Open, Dominic Thiem, Tennis News

Dominic Thiem can topple Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this year, says Mats Wilander


Dominic Thiem could overhaul Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this year and become the best player in the world, says Mats Wilander.

Thiem won his maiden Grand Slam title last year when he won the US Open.

It was his fourth major final, underlining just how consistent a performer he has become in the biggest events.

And, according to former world number one Mats Wilander, Thiem is capable of finishing the year on top of the ATP.

“I think he has a good chance of being the best player in the world at the end of 2021, to be honest,” Wilander told Reuters of Dominic Thiem.

“I think he proved to himself that even without playing his best, he could win the final of a Grand Slam.

“He should have beaten Djokovic in the final [of the Australian Open] last year if he hadn’t panicked and risked too much.

“Then he was tired at the French Open and the ATP Finals, which I can’t believe he didn’t win. But he is not intimidated anymore on the big stages.

“He realised that ‘Hang on, I’m the one bullying these two [Djokovic and Nadal] around on the court, I’m deciding how things are going to work out, the racket is in my hands.

“He might not beat them every time but he doesn’t care.”


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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.