“Revenge is a dish best served cold”
Domnic Thiem would have been tired of seeing Rafa Nadal across the net, tired of losing to him in close matches and tired of trying to work out a way to dislodge the greatest clay courter of all time. Losses can cloud your judgement, force you to think in ways that you wouldn’t normally and sometimes degrade your game in the process. But every once in a while it helps you clear your head, helps you to look at things from a different perspective and helps you to go for it like you have nothing to lose.
Domnic Thiem stepped onto court without any anxiety today, he seemed like a calm man, a man who looked to be free in his approach. The losses hadn’t worn him down, they had rejuvenated him. The skill was always in place, but today the mind followed as well.
Also Read: Why is Novak Djokovic in a buoyant mood before the French Open?
Thiem prevailed in straight sets(6-4, 6-3) playing some scintillating Tennis all through, and most importantly playing those crucial points better. The killer instinct was on display tonight, something that had been missing in the previous two encounters.
Nadal didn’t do much wrong tonight, it was just that Thiem’s directness got the better off him tonight. With such a tight schedule, Nadal probably wouldn’t mind this loss too much. For Thiem this win would do wonders going into the French Open, as beating Nadal on clay is no mean feat.
This is how the world reacted:
HE'S DONE IT! @ThiemDomi dismisses #Nadal 6-4 6-3 to end the Spaniard's 17-match winning streak and score his 2nd win over the king of clay! pic.twitter.com/pTFKb3qjPH
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) May 19, 2017
Blessing in disguise for Nadal? A little time to recuperate before @rolandgarros
— Bryce Edmond (@bryce289) May 19, 2017
Thiem beats Nadal…in straight sets. RIP to so many betting tickets in the world.
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) May 19, 2017
Dominic Thiem faced Rafael Nadal on clay three weeks in a row and improved each time. Incredible mentality.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) May 19, 2017
Q: "Rafa, what was wrong today?"
Nadal: "What was wrong is that the other player played very well"— Giulio Fedele (@fedele_giulio) May 19, 2017
Nadal gets an extra two days off and will have two fewer matches in his legs ahead of Paris.
He'll get there fit, fresh and bang in form.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) May 19, 2017
Dominic Thiem avenges the Madrid final, ends Rafael Nadal's winning run on clay at 17, beating him 6-4, 6-3 to reach Rome semifinals.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 19, 2017
Dominic Thiem joins
Djokovic
Gaudio
Federer
Ferrer
Fognini
Murrayas the only players to defeat Nadal at least twice on clay
— Steph Trudel (@TrudelSteph) May 19, 2017
More reactions on the next page:
DOMINATOR. Thiem plays the match of his life, beats Nadal 6-4, 6-3 to reach Rome SFs. First loss of the year for Rafael on clay. pic.twitter.com/GjsSc80dTY
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 19, 2017
Major reason for Thiem’s win?
Thiem today vs Thiem in Madrid pic.twitter.com/bJNwyqQST6
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 19, 2017
Knowing how is #Nadal that loss is not a drama. Full of confidence with 17-1 on clay and three titles. #Thiem warns everyone before #RG17.
— Pau Ferragut (@PauFerragut) May 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/morunien/status/865602532361371648
I'd rather lose to Thiem than any of the others in the draw. Let them have this & we'll focus on the next 1 😆 Get some rest now @RafaelNadal
— Jackie B (@Busta2810) May 19, 2017
Massive win for Home 🏡 Thiem taking out Vamos-Rafa he has clearly been 2nd best clay court player so far this year
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) May 19, 2017
"Thiem's level is gonna drop!" they said. 50 minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/AP09hmWowG
— buongiorno ubaldo (@bellezzavitale) May 19, 2017
