Dominic Thiem, as a guest on the Beyond Business Cast, spoke openly about the final of the US Open 2020. During that year, the Austrian tennis player dominated and achieved great results from tournament to tournament. Having lost only one set en route to the final, Thiem faced Alexander Zverev, a young tennis player playing his first Grand Slam final.
The Austrian tennis player immediately faced difficulties, losing 2-0 in sets. However, his amazing comeback is still causing reactions among fans. Thiem was able to focus mentally and adjust his game as soon as the opportunity to win presented itself.
During his guest appearance on the podcast, he was asked if he played with an underdog mentality in the final of the US Open. Thiem found the pressure difficult to handle at times.
The 31-year-old pointed out that it was not easy, given that he was not an underdogfor the first time. When you are not the favorite, you always have various excuses that can relax you and give you relief.
The nervousness was already there before the match. Id say that was part of the problem.
For the first time, I wasnt the underdog; it was against Sasha, and Id say the final was 50/50.
It was the first time for both of us not to be playing [a major final] against one of the all-time great legends.- he said, as quoted by Tennis Gazette.
Excuse
Thiem added that when you play against Nadal, Djokovic and Federer, you always have an excuse if you lose, but this time he didn't have that option.
He couldn't find an excuse in case of defeat.
Thiem was hoping that Zverev would make a mistake in the third set, which indeed happened, and the Austrian tennis player knew how to take advantage of his mistakes and turn the match in his favor.
