KEY POINTS

  • Dominic Thiem reflects on his first Grand Slam title
  • Thiem explains why the Big Three's absence during his first major win doesn't bother him
  • The Austrian's coach believes his pupil is capable of exceeding the sport's Big Three

Dominic Thiem is convinced that he is a legitimate Grand Slam winner.

Months before he copped his first major title in the 2020 U.S. Open, Thiem stressed that “it counts more” to win a Grand Slam in the era of the “Big Three.”

Fortunately, the Austrian managed to rally his way back to a victory over Alexander Zverev in the finals to claim the sport’s most prestigious accolade.

However, Thiem’s win was a bit bittersweet as the "Big Three" didn’t compete in the tournament. It can be recalled that Rafael Nadal opted not to travel due to the pandemic, while Roger Federer was also ruled out because of an injury.

Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, was disqualified in the fourth round for accidentally hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball.

Addressing the unfortunate absence of the "Big Three" during his maiden major championship, Thiem insisted that the trio was never the determinant of how valuable a Grand Slam title is.

“Of course, the Big Three is the Big Three, but there was also a time before them and nobody asks if Grand Slam titles were worth more or less back then and the same applies now,” Thiem recently explained to Tennis Head.

“A Grand Slam title is always worth the same, so there is really no need to even think about it,” he added. “After all, my name is on the trophy and it always will be. It doesn’t really matter who I beat and who was or wasn’t there.”

Austria's Dominic Thiem beat Germany's Dominik Koepfer on Wednesday
Austria's Dominic Thiem beat Germany's Dominik Koepfer on Wednesday AFP / Brandon MALONE

Thiem’s Grand Slam win put his name on the map as the previous 14 consecutive Slams had been won by the "Big Three."

While the current No. 4 player in the world has yet to eclipse the likes of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in a major competition, Thiem's coach Nicolas Massu is confident that his pupil is equipped with the right tools to possibly exceed the "Big Three."

"He is very complete,” Massu previously said of Thiem. “He plays well on all surfaces, he has a great serve, forehand, backhand, he moves well. He has the talent to do things much better than you think. It will always be difficult to play against the best in history [Federer, Nadal and Djokovic], but if there is anyone who can compete equally with them it is Dominic Thiem.”

“If you do what you have to do, you will always have a chance of winning."

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