Have you heard about the popular game Start, Bench, Cut? This game is popularly played in the sporting arena, where different players are picked and ranked from first to third. Recently, this game was played with Dominic Thiem in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports. While talking about his sporting career and highlighting his biggest competitors ever.
He found the perfect opportunity to play this game and list his rivals, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, in order. Along with that, he also made a powerful Djokovic statement, making him stand out for the big three.
Dominic Thiem lists the big three in gaming order
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After facing a fourth-round defeat at the Paris Masters, the Austrian tennis player tried his best in the Moselle Open but unfortunately faced an early exit. After that loss, in an exclusive interview, Thiem played a popular game and listed the Big 3 players in order of who he would like to start, cut, and bench on the tennis court.
He said, “I would start Novak, I would bench Rafa, and I would cut Roger, but it’s also pretty easy because Rafa is still injured. You know, he’s in the comeback process, so I’ll bench him. Novak is like in full shape; he’s fighting right now in Turin, and Roger is retired already; I think it’s fine.”
Subsequently, unlike most of the players on the current ATP tour, he is someone who has faced Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic on the biggest stage. Although he stated the reason for putting each tennis player in three different sections, he tried his best to avoid sticking to his favorite and gave a neutral answer based on the facts.
In addition, in a recent interview, he gave a very neutral answer when asked about the Big 3. There was also a time in the same conversation when he played safe and revealed his preferences to play with and against on the tennis court among the same group of tennis players.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dominic Thiem gives a safe answer when asked about the Big Three
During the interview, the atmosphere changed a little bit when the Grand Slam champion was asked about who among the three was the toughest challenge for him on the tennis court. But rather than naming a player among the Big 3, he gave a very tricky answer. He said, “It’s like it’s surface related, you know Nadal on clay for sure, Djokovic on hard court, and Federer on grass. That’s a pretty easy answer.”
While that was not enough, he also talked about how sometimes the three of them can be pretty cruel to their opponents from time to time. With a pinch of humor, the 30-year-old tennis player turned the tables with his smart answers related to the big three, while still making hurdles with his comments.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Nevertheless, what do you think about Thiem’s take on the big three? Do let us know in the comment section below.
WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams Pays Tribute to Roger Federer