Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem met seven instances between 2016 and 2019. The Austrian had a very good report in opposition to considered one of his idols, even supposing it didn’t get started smartly for him. Thiem used to be just a child when Federer changed into the arena’s main participant, dreaming about training and enjoying in opposition to probably the most largest avid gamers of all time.
“Borrowing” Roger’s one-handed backhand, Dominic were given a possibility to proportion the court docket along with his idol for the first time in the 2016 Brisbane semi-final. Federer scored a comfy 6-1, 6-4 victory in 61 mins, dominating serve and go back to depart the Austrian in the back of and advance into the identify conflict.
Thiem stated that Federer “killed him on the court,” successful 22 issues extra and taking part of the go back issues to sail into the overall in no time. The Swiss were given damaged from the one probability presented to his opponent and regulated the tempo with 4 go back video games.
Nothing may separate them in essentially the most prolonged exchanges. Roger cast his victory in the shortest rallies as much as 4 strokes, enjoying with aggression and precision and leaving the younger gun without a resolution. Thiem netted a forehand in the come upon’s 2nd recreation to revel in an early damage.
He fell 3-0 down after handiest 8 mins following Federer’s provider winner in recreation 3. Dominic hit a double fault in the fourth recreation to ship Roger additional forward ahead of the Swiss wrapped up the opener with a provider winner in recreation seven after 22 mins.
Roger Federer misplaced handiest 5 video games in opposition to Dominic Thiem in their first fit.
The Austrian gave serve away originally of the second one set because of every other double fault. He pulled it in an instant following a forehand down the road bullet that gave him self belief.
Both avid gamers served smartly till 3-3, and the more youthful participant needed for extra in the remainder of the set. Instead, Federer moved in entrance with a damage at 15 in recreation seven when Thiem netted a backhand. Roger cemented the lead with 3 winners in recreation 8 and created a fit level in the following one.
He sprayed a forehand error and allowed Thiem to deliver it house and extend the duel. The Swiss served for the victory at 5-4 and positioned an ace to seal the deal and advance into the overall. “Maybe playing-wise, Roger was the biggest inspiration because of the one-handed backhand.
I tried to copy his style a bit, of course, and then when I started to watch tennis when I was maybe 7 or 8, he was becoming No. 1. Roger was a great inspiration right from the start. Then I had this first practice with him, I was so nervous, and I think everybody could see that in the interview I gave after.
One of the most significant moments was when we played our first match in Brisbane 2016; he killed me in that one, which was unpleasant. Still, that’s all part of my great journey with Roger, and it became even better when I beat him for the first time and in a notable final, like in Indian Wells,” Dominic Thiem stated.