Dominic Thiem Fires Warning to Rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal Ahead of Australian Open 2021

Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem has opened up on his next big goal. Asked to list the top targets that he has set for himself in 2021, Thiem said that his immediate goal is to win the Australian Open.

After three unsuccessful attempts, the current World Number 3 finally broke his Grand Slam jinx at the US Open last year.

Dominic Thiem outlasted Zverev to win his maiden Grand Slam title at US Open

Thiem outlasted German Alexander Zverev in a tense five-setter to clinch his maiden Grand Slam trophy at the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium. He also came close to winning the championship at Melbourne Park last year but fell at the final hurdle to eventual winner Novak Djokovic.

Speaking to yesteryear doubles great Todd Woodbridge, the 27-year-old Thiem said he was aware of the stress and physical hardship of competing in a Grand Slam and trained himself to stay fresh for the big tournaments this year.

“The next big goal is the Australian Open, definitely… I know how tough and how brutal, both mentally and physically, a Grand Slam can be,” said the Austrian, who is currently quarantining in Adelaide.

Before launching his Australian Open campaign, Thiem will lead his country’s charge at the ATP Cup, a team event in Brisbane. His father Wolfgang Thiem, a tennis coach, would be the non-playing captain of the team in the tournament.

Thiem is a challenger to the ‘Big Three’

Thiem leads a clutch of new-generation tennis stars, also featuring the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner and Andrey Rublev, who are tipped to eventually upstage the ‘Big Three’ in the battle of supremacy in the men’s game.

The Austrian beat both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to storm into the title round of the ATP Finals last season. They will be his prime rivals in the battle to clinch his maiden title at Melbourne Park.

He also got the better of Roger Federer to claim the championship trophy at the Indian Wells Masters in 2019.

In head-to-head battles with the Serb, Thiem currently trails by a slender margin of 5-7. His win over Nadal at the Finals in London helped him reduce his head-to-head deficit against him to 6-9. However, the Austrian currently holds a 5-2 lead in head-to-head battles over Federer.

Read More: Dominic Thiem Ready to Challenge Rafael Nadal at French Open to Accomplish His Dream