Dominic Thiem believes that winning a Grand Slam in the current era of tennis is just as difficult as it was during the reign of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
In a recent interview with Tennis Magazin, the 2020 US Open champion praised the dominance of rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, asserting that their presence presents a formidable challenge for any player hoping to win a major title.
“Everyone used to say that once the Big Three or Big Four are gone, it will be easier,” Thiem said. “But now we have Sinner and Alcaraz. If they’re not injured, you usually have to beat one—or even both—to win a Slam, and that’s really hard. I think they’re just as tough to beat today as Federer or Djokovic were back then.”
Sinner and Alcaraz have emerged as the new titans of the ATP Tour. Together, they’ve claimed the last five Grand Slam titles. Alcaraz, 21, won the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, following up on his 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon victories. Sinner, 23, claimed his first major at the 2024 Australian Open, then went on to win the 2024 US Open and successfully defended his Australian title in 2025.
These two are the only players from the current generation to have captured major titles, with 29-year-old Daniil Medvedev being the next youngest Grand Slam champion.
Thiem also expressed hope for Alexander Zverev, saying:
“I hope Sascha wins a Grand Slam. His career is too good not to have one. Even if he doesn’t, it’s still been an incredible run. But if he does win one, he could become World No. 1 almost automatically, given how consistently he plays.”
The Austrian also praised other contenders like Taylor Fritz, who has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly at the US Open. “There are other very good players on the tour,” Thiem added. “Winning a Slam now isn’t any easier than it was five or ten years ago.”
Reflecting on his own career, Thiem, who retired in October 2024 at age 31, said he has no regrets:
“On paper, my career ran from 2011 to 2024, but it really started much earlier. You build your life around tennis from age 11 or 12. That’s two decades of intense dedication. I’ve achieved more than I expected. For me, it’s a complete story.”
