Thiem Knocks Out Djokovic In Three Sets

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Dominic Thiem obliterated defending champion Novak Djokovic 76 63 60 in a devastating performance which has to be one of the worst defeats by a title defender in recent Grand Slam history.

Thiem, the ATP World No 7 player, is now just two match wins from becoming the first Grand Slam major champion from Austria since Thomas Muster won in Paris in 1995.

To sum the match: Djokovic’s confidence issues betrayed after the first set. The self belief is no longer there as he has not won anything significant since Roland Garros a year ago. Thiem obviously was not at full power in their previous duel in Rome (6061 for Djokovic) and Djokovic knows it.

Djokovic was a great player when he had the burning intensity and fury to conquer all. But clearly the 30 year old Serbian does not have the same obsessive hunger and desire to be the best any more. Like the boxing champ Marvin Hagler famously said: “It’s hard to wake up at 5 am and do roadwork when you’re sleeping in silk pajamas.” If Agassi can’t push Djokovic’s motivation buttons nobody can and it is safe to conclude that Djokovic’s days as a super champion are finished.

And a worthy new young potential replacement has emerged by the name of Dominic Thiem.

 

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There will never be another player who wins Roland Garros nine or ten times. So therefore Rafa Nadal is the all time King of Clay and he always will be.

 

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A little too early to annoint Thiem as the next dominant clay player as he has not even shown that he can win a single major yet. He looks good right now but his hardest work is still ahead.

 

[El Dude]

If Thiem is the next dominant clay player, it will be first among near equals or, at most, something like Kuerten or Bruguera - the best clay player for a few years, but not hugely dominant over the field. And of course Rafa isn't done yet.

 

[Denis]

A bit early to write of Djokovic. And assuming it's because he is spoiled now. He was a wealthy man before 2011 and that didn't stop him from winning 11 slams. The question is whether he can sort out his personal and mental issues.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

There will never be another player who wins Roland Garros nine or ten times. So therefore Rafa Nadal is the all time King of Clay and he always will be.

Always is a long time ... Probability suggests that, at some point or other, assuming RG continues to exist, someone could come along and break that record too.

That being said - I don't entirely disagree with you. Wouldn't be surprised if that record is not broken in my lifetime.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

A bit early to write of Djokovic. And assuming it's because he is spoiled now. He was a wealthy man before 2011 and that didn't stop him from winning 11 slams. The question is whether he can sort out his personal and mental issues.

Yeah, I agree, it's far too early to write him off. He is a champion, and he has gone through some mini-slumps before (though never anything like this). But people are fickle; think of all the times when people have written off Federer or Nadal in the past.

 

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Dan; your friends bet looks really improbable right now - might as well toss that ticket.

 

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Stanimal sure has done a good job of upping his level in the majors lately. Looks subpar or even ordinary in other tournaments but when it's GS time Stanimal always has his A game ready.

 

[Moxie]

Always is a long time ... Probability suggests that, at some point or other, assuming RG continues to exist, someone could come along and break that record too.

That being said - I don't entirely disagree with you. Wouldn't be surprised if that record is not broken in my lifetime.

While records are made to be broken, it took about 30 years for Rafa to start breaking Borg and Vilas's clay records, for example. Personally, I doubt most of us will live to see Rafa's clay records equalled or exceeded. Comets only cross the sky so often.

 

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Congratulations to Dabrowski and Bopanna! Huge win and I believe all four players were gunning for their very first major title so it must have been a nerve wracking match the whole way. Dabrowski I believe is the first Canadian born to win a GS major title (Nestor was born in Yugoslavia I believe).

 

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JTG; Agassi was actually well liked by the US Open locker room attendants and manager. When younger Agassi definitely had a playful rebel side and he liked to tweek his rivals especially Pete Sampras. But as he's grown older Agassi has matured and has probably learned life is a whole lot easier if you don't rock the boat or try to spark controversy and stay out of political arguments. I would guess Agassi has strong political beliefs but he keeps them private to avoid the headaches and attacks.

 

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Henk; Yes that is interesting angle about Young and Gonzalez and also Young is the first black male in a GS final since... who knows the answer?

 

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Pliskova plays like a robot with zero emotion or passion, it's like she is going through the motions. Just one yell of come on? Just one fist pump? Any sign of joy and love of playing from Pliskova?