If Thiem had broke on to the scene at the same time as Federer I have no doubt that he would be a multiple slam winner well before the age of 26.
My point was that Thiem is the current generation, not the next one.
More next gen for me. Federer is 12 years older than him. He’s closer in age to Zverev, Medvedev and Tsitsipas than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic.
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Federer broke in at time when there wasn’t anybody else much good. Thiem is improving all the time and is the next gen.
Thiem has taken a long time to develop as a player. He’s primarily a clay court specialist and has been the second best player on clay for a few years now. He’s made the last two finals at Roland Garros and in the two years before that was a semi finalist there.
Taking the other three Slams together, this is his first semi final at the 19th attempt. He’d only previously made one quarter final out of 18 at the US Open in 2018. As you said, at 26, he really needs to be breaking through soon and winning a Grand Slam. He should beat Zverev.
Thiem is the only player under 30 to have appeared in multiple slam finals at present.
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He is. Its a big psychological win for Thiem beating Nadal for the first time in a Grand Slam ahead of the clay court season.
It sure is and he’s been growing the past year. His form on hard courts, slams aside last year was highly impressive.
Nadal needs a new dealer.
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He has had to contend with 3 of the greatest players ever and Murray who set a high standard as well. It was very difficult to break through.
In Thiem’s 18 Grand Slam defeats in Melbourne, the Championship and Flushing Meadows, think the US Open 2018, the only time he lost to any of Federer/Nadal/Djokovic/Murray. He’s had a lot of surprise early exits to nobodies.
The next gen have badly lacked consistency but I think that is changing now. Zverev and Thiem in a semi final and Medvedev went out in a five setter to Wawrinka at the R4 stage. It’s going to be harder for Djokovic/Nadal/Federer from here on in
Djokovic and Federer can be grateful for the way the draw panned out this time around.
Thiem must be the Jesse Lingard of tennis
The Barty Party has ended. Beaten by the yank, Kenin in straight sets.
Fuck
Muguruza wins first set tie break against Halep.
6 minute game to start. Federer done well to hold after three break points.
Federer has two break points.
Wow! Sensational tennis from Federer.
Terrific start from the Great Man. Breaks for 2-0.