Paris: The old guard may still be winning the major trophies but the youngsters are creeping up on them.
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka have dominated the Grand Slams since 2005. However, a couple of dark horses are hoping to spring a surprise at the French Open, which starts Sunday.
The 20-year-old Alexander Zverev beat Novak Djokovic to win the Italian Open last Sunday, while the 23-year-old Dominic Thiem also impressed in the tournament, defeating Nadal.
“I think that Rafa is the big favourite,” Thiem said here Saturday. “Novak is coming, for sure behind him. And then Murray, you never know. He’s such a big player. He can also play amazing here. You can’t write any of these three off.
“And after these three I think there are some players who can go very deep here in paris, who can make big surprises and to these players I count Sascha (Alexander Zverev) and myself,” the Austrian added.
This is the first week in the 40-year-plus history of the ATP computer rankings that the top five men are all 30 or older. However, the seventh-ranked Thiem doesn’t see that as failure by the younger players.
“They are so big players that it’s I think normal that they are still so good with a little bit older age,” Thiem pointed out. “But I wouldn’t say that the younger players, they didn’t make it. I mean there is Milos (Raonic) or Kei (Nishikori) that have been in the top 10 for a very long time.
“Everybody should know how tough it is. Because they didn’t win a Slam yet, it doesn’t mean that they didn’t make it because obviously the ‘Big 4’ are so strong that it’s in this period really tough to win a big title,” he added.
Thiem has already faced Nadal three times this year, losing finals in Barcelona and Madrid before beating the Spaniard in Rome 6-4, 6-3. “The win over Rafa was of course a big thing for me,” Thiem said. “I played the best player on clay three times in three tournaments. I learned a lot … so I think I prepared well for this tournament.”
Meanwhile enigmatic Australian Nick Kyrgios was quick to point out that on his day, he can beat anyone in the world. “The good thing about us youngsters… me, Thiem, Alexander is that we don’t see who is on the other side,” stated the Australian. “I know that if I am in rhythm, I can beat anybody.”
The eldest of the two Zverev brothers, Alexander, who has become the youngest to break into the top 10 since John McEnroe did in 1977, however, wants to take it one match at a time.
“This is clay and it is one of the hardest surfaces to play on. Beating Novak, no doubt has been a huge confidence-booster,” he informed. “But then I am not thinking too far ahead… I would rather take it one step at a time. If I play to my potential, I can challenge anybody,” he added.
Associated Press
