The World No. 3 Dominic Thiem has set his eye on the French Open. Thiem stated that he wants to win the Roland Garros and he will try his best in 2021. The Austrian had qualified for the finals of the 2018 and 2019 edition but on both occasions, he was defeated by the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal.

In 2020, Thiem’s journey was ended by Diego Schwartzman in a marathon five-setter in the Quarterfinals. Thiem’s game is suited to clay and he wants to go all the way at Roland Garros.

Thiem has qualified for four Grand Slam finals but he has been able to win a solitary title – the US Open 2020. However, the Austrian is well aware that he will have to cross Rafael Nadal’s hurdle if he has to win at French Open.

Nadal has an invincible record in Paris as he has won 13 French Open titles. Furthermore, Nadal has a 100-2 record at the Roland Garros, and he hardly losses in the tournament.

Thiem said while talking to Sportschau, “For me the biggest goal is Roland-Garros. That has always been the case in recent years. Because it’s still the tournament that I love most, where the conditions are best for me. I played the final as a junior back in 2011 (lost to Bjorn Fratangelo). And since that moment it’s the tournament that I’ve always wanted to win.” 

“Rafa is overpowering and I don’t know if I think I can. I’ve never managed to beat him in the tournament. In every other tournament, yes, because I’ve already made it, and beating him on this center court is probably one of the hardest things that have ever been in the sport. But still: It’s my big goal and I’ll try again in 2021.” 

However, before targeting Roland Garros, Thiem will also have his eye on the upcoming Australian Open. The 27-year old had qualified for the final of the 2020 edition but he couldn’t go past Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set encounter.

The Australian Open will begin on February 8 and Thiem will aim to lift his second major title.