Australian Open 2021 - Dominic Thiem: Lots of time to think about Novak Djokovic defeat

ByEurosport

Updated 27/01/2021 at 16:26 GMT

Dominic Thiem produced excellent wins over Rafael Nadal and Alex Zverev en route to the final in Melbourne last year before falling short in a gruelling five-set battle against Novak Djokovic. The Austrian hopes a year on that he will get the chance to win the Slam for the first time in his career.

Dominic Thiem says he had a lot of time to think about his Australian Open final defeat to Novak Djokovic during Covid-19 lockdown and is targeting Grand Slam glory again in Melbourne.

When the two met last year, the Austrian made 16 unforced errors in the final set and ultimately lost 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4.

At that point it was the third time Thiem had reached a Grand Slam final, the other two coming against Rafael Nadal at the French Open (2018 and 2019), and his wait for a Slam victory continued.

ATP Monte Carlo

‘Not a great season’ - Djokovic reacts to Monte Carlo loss, as Ruud says 'he's human'

13/04/2024 at 22:26

• Who will be the next first-time Slam winner?
• Britain's Konta craving exit from quarantine

He later went on that year to win his maiden Slam - the US Open. But the world number three admits the defeat to Djokovic was tough to take with Covid-19 lockdown giving him a lot of thinking time.

"It was a hell of a tournament. It was a hell of a trip," he told Todd Woodbridge on AO Countdown.

"The ATP Cup also was super nice. It comes to my mind it was the last big tournament that was normal [before the Covid-19 pandemic].

I probably played one of my best tournaments ever in my career and well, just failed. I had a lot of time to think about that match and think about my chances to ever win a major so that was not easy.

Thiem is currently in quarantine in Adelaide ahead of the 2021 Australian Open which gets underway on February 8. He says winning the tournament is his primary aim right now.

"The next big goal is the Australian Open definitely," he added.

"Also the ATP Cup before but I know how tough and how brutal physically and mentally a first grand slam of the year can be. Now I just try to practice well, work hard and keep myself fresh."

Djokovic edges Thiem in five-set thriller

ATP Monte Carlo

'In a state of shock' - Ruud upsets Djokovic to make Monte Carlo final for first time

13/04/2024 at 19:36

ATP Monte Carlo

‘Tennis at its highest level’ - Tsitsipas downs Sinner to reach another Monte Carlo final

13/04/2024 at 17:00

ATP Monte Carlo

Djokovic breaks Nadal record with 'ugly' De Minaur win, Ruud ready for 'David v Goliath' clash

12/04/2024 at 20:59