Dominic Thiem gives his take on GOAT debate after Novak Djokovic equals Rafael Nadal's Major record
Dominic Thiem recently stated that the number of Grand Slam titles won should hold the most weight in the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) debate.
The Big 3 of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have long divided tennis fans over who deserves the GOAT title the most. The three were once tied for 20 Major titles each, but over the last year, that equation has changed.
Nadal won the Australian Open and French Open to take his tally to 22, before Djokovic defended his Wimbledon Championship title to go past Federer to 21.
Then last month, Djokovic won a record-extending 10th title at the Melbourne Major to tie Nadal for 22 Slam titles. And Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem, in an interview with Punto de Break, gave his thoughts on what makes a player the GOAT.
"In my opinion, the Grand Slam titles should be the defining criteria when determining the best of all time, they are the four most important tournaments in tennis. Everything else is fine, but it's not the same. The Slams are what counts, so the GOAT will probably be the one with the most Grand Slams," he expressed.
Speaking about Djokovic's dominant performance Down Under last month, Thiem said he was not surprised at the Serb's incredible level.
"I am not very surprised, Djokovic still looks young. Physically and mentally, because of the way he moves on the court. It's like he was 25 years old. We have to be honest, he is the best, so his victory was not very surprising," Thiem said.
The 29-year-old has had the experience of playing both Djokovic and Nadal at their peak, and that too on their favored surfaces. While he faced defeat at the hands of Djokovic in the 2020 Australian Open final, he lost back-to-back French Open finals in 2018 and 2019 to Nadal.
The 2020 US Open champion recalled his Slam title defeats to the veterans, saying that he played his best tennis against Djokovic and still lost.
"At the time, in the final of the [2020] Australian Open, I reached my highest level of abilities, both physically and tennis-wise. Even so, I lost in five sets to Novak. I practically couldn't play better and still lost. That says everything," Thiem said.
The Austrian added that the two greats were unstoppable at their favorite tournaments.
"With Rafa in Paris in 2019, I played well too, not as much as in Australia, but my level was high. The two are almost invincible in their favorite tournaments," he added.
Dominic Thiem reveals what it felt like when he shared a locker room with Roger Federer, Rafel Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray 👏
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"There's a reason to keep playing, be competitive and get back to that level" - Dominic Thiem confident of overcoming injury troubles
The last two years have been difficult for Dominic Thiem, to say the least. The Austrian was out of the sport for nearly a year due to a wrist injury he suffered during the 2021 grasscourt season. He returned to action during the 2022 claycourt swing but has found it difficult to get back to his best.
Thiem slowly built momentum over the last few months of 2022 before traveling to Australia to take part in the Asia-Pacific Major for the first time in two years. He faced defeat in the opening round of the tournament, losing in straight sets to fifth seed Andrey Rublev, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
To add to his woes, Thiem suffered another injury — a muscle tear in his ribs — during his match against the Russian. The Austrian, however, hasn't lost the belief that he will put his injury troubles behind him and return to his best.
"I still believe [that I will return to the top]. I'm not there yet, but there's a reason to keep playing, be competitive and get back to that level. In Australia I have had a tough picture. I also had a small injury, but I'm already recovered. I am very happy with the first Grand Slam of the season," Thiem said.
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The World No. 99 further stated that playing important finals against great players in the past motivated him to want to return to his top level.
"I have played great finals against great players. It is a great motivation to try to return to that position. We'll see if I can do it. In the last months of 2022, I found a rhythm. I've had some good wins and there are positive signs, so I hope to continue in that direction," he said.