Austrian Dominic Thiem claims maiden grand slam title with courage in US

German Alexander Zverev was left shattered after letting a maiden grand slam title slip through his fingers.

Dominic Thiem collapses to the court after defeating Alexander Zverev

Watching US Open champion Dominic Thiem at full throttle is among the more phenomenal sights on a tennis court.

The Austrian, who came from two sets down to win a maiden grand slam thriller against Alexander Zverev 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-4 7-6 (6) in New York, is extremely powerful and athletic.

The first US Open winner since 1939 to overcome a two-set deficit in a final, Thiem’s style is beautiful, particularly his one-handed backhand.

But the Austrian, who is the first men’s grand slam champion born in the 1990s, also brutalises the ball while punishing the vast majority of his opponents.

This was not, however, the way the 27-year-old won the US Open on his fourth visit to a major final. His method against Zverev was finding a way to calm his mind and nerves and overcome an ailing body that literally saw him limp to the line in a final lasting just over four hours.

“Definitely I achieved a life goal, a dream of myself, which I had for many, many years, of course as a kid … when I started to play tennis, but back then it’s so far away,” he said.

“Then I got closer and closer to the top. At one point I realised that, ‘Wow, maybe one day I can really win one of the four biggest titles in tennis.’

Austria’s Dominic Thiem with the US Open trophy at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre

“I put a lot of work in. I mean, I dedicated basically my whole life until this point to win one of the four majors. Now I did it. That’s also, for myself, a great accomplishment.

“I mean, it’s by far not only myself, it’s an accomplishment from all my team, for all my family. I guess also today is the day where I gave back a huge amount of what they did for me.”

The first final played in the COVID-19 era with near empty stands, it was a match of wildly swinging momentum featuring moments where both combatants were wracked with nerves.

An overwhelming favourite given his record against Zverev and impressive lead-in form which included a sizzling quarter-final defeat of Alex de Minaur, Thiem was particularly tight early.

With a maiden US Open title on his racquet twice, initially when leading by two sets and then when serving for the decider at 5-3, it was Zverev who became stricken.

His notoriously shaky second serve and ferocious but fragile forehand, so brilliant in the opening two sets, ultimately betrayed him at the death.

The moments after the final encapsulated the ecstasy and agony of sport. Thiem collapsed on the ground in pure joy at a promise fulfilled.

The German, meanwhile, was desolate at an opportunity squandered. He hoped while sobbing during an on-court interview that his parents would still be proud of him. Even in defeat, surely there is no doubt of this. It takes courage to reach the biggest stages in sport.

“I think it’s obvious that I was very tight in the beginning. I think it’s very understandable that we both didn’t play our highest tennis anymore,” Thiem said.

German Alexander Zverev breaks down during the trophy presentation

Some were critical of the quality given the errors that occurred at critical times. Others found it riveting to watch two phenomenal athletes wrestle with grasping the rarest of opportunities in a sport dominated by Federer, Nadal and Djokovic for well over a decade.

Nicolas Massu, a former professional now coaching Thiem, was understandably elated. But he believed it was a perfect demonstration of the sport.

Certainly it is one relatable to club players who have struggled to close out a set when serving, or mangled a shot that might normally come easily. Even the very best can be afflicted.

“Today the match was, like, really tough, like a drama, like a movie until the end,” Massu said.

“That is why the sport is so nice. You never know what is going to happen until the last point.”

A step forward taken for both men — Thiem his first major title, Zverev his maiden grand slam final — all flights lead to Europe for the next step of tennis’ COVID-19 experiment. Australian officials are watching with growing enthusiasm for next January.

Thiem has made the final at Roland Garros for the past two years and is a master clay court player.

But the all-time legend lies in wait. Instead of defending his US Open title, Rafael Nadal has been honing his red dirt game in preparation for the month ahead.

“With this goal achieved, I think and I hope that I’m going to be a little bit more relaxed and play a little bit more freely at the biggest events,” Thiem said.