(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Asked by ATP to build the profile of a perfect tennis player, Dominic Thiem picked Novak Djokovic’s backhand, flexibility, and mental toughness. According to the Austrian, only Grigor Dimitrov equals Nole in flexibility. When it comes to mental strength, Djokovic is tied up with Nadal.
Dominic Thiem builds his perfect tennis player.
Forehand – Rafa Nadal
Backhand – Novak Djokovic
Serve – John Isner
Flexibility – Djokovic & Dimitrov
Mental toughness – Rafa & Novak
Celebration – Daniil Medvedev ð
pic.twitter.com/75GqZ5u2r7 — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 27, 2023
Thiem lost the Australian Open 2020 final against Djokovic
Dominic Thiem has bitter memories with Novak Djokovic, as the Austrian lost a Grand Slam title in front of Nole in 2020 at the Australian Open.
“When I played the final of the Australian Open, I played the best tennis of my life. I was in top shape, also tennis-wise, and I played probably the best tournament of my entire career. And again I lost in five sets to Novak.I almost couldn’t have played better and still lost.
That says it all. Same at Roland Garros, in the final in 2019. I played a great tournament. Not as good as in Australia, but still at a very high level. And again I lost the final to Rafa in four sets. The two of them are almost unbeatable at their favorite tournaments, Novak in Australia and Rafa at Roland Garros,” Thiem told dnevnik.hr, as quoted in one of our past articles.Thiem also reacted after Djokovic won the 2023 edition of the Australian Open.”I’m not very surprised, because he still feels he’s young.
Physically, mentally, the way he moves, even though he’s had some injuries, the way he moves he looks like he’s 25. You have to be, everyone has to be honest that he is the best tennis player.So it was no surprise that he won the tournament,” Thiem said.
