The ‘Big-Three’ have dominated the ATP top-three rankings but Dominic Thiem broke into that recently
Dominic Thiem is one of ten players have made it into the top-three rankings during the reign of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The three have been so dominant that only a handful of players have managed to pass the top-three barrier during their 14-year reign.
Austrian star Thiem achieved the rare feat of entering the top-three by being promoted to the third spot.
What makes Thiem’s feat more worthwhile is the fact that no player has managed to do so since May 2019. A permanent member of the top-ten since June 2016, Thiem has improved his performances across hard courts.
2020 started with a bang for the 26-year old as he advanced into the finals of the Australian Open. However, he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
Thiem’s rise to the top-three has not been surprising as the Austrian’s continued consistency and improved performance saw him play his best tennis last year.
2019 was a breakthrough year for Thiem, who won a career-best 5 ATP titles that season. He won titles at Vienna, Beijing, Kitzbühel, Barcelona and the ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells playing some of the best tennis in his career.
He also reached the finals of the French Open last year where he lost to the ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal.
Murray, Zverev, del Potro among others who entered top-three
Meanwhile, three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray, ‘Next Gen’ star Alexander Zverev, and Argentine Juan Martin del Potro made it to the top-three since July 2007.
Only 🔟 players have made it into the Top 3 during the 14-year reign of Roger, Rafa and Novak 😱 pic.twitter.com/MxrDIX7MyY
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) March 3, 2020
The others in the list include Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic, Grigor Dimitrov, Marin Cilic and retired professionals Andy Roddick and David Ferrer.
Among the ‘Big Three’, Djokovic has had the best year so far with the ATP Cup, the Australian Open and Dubai ATP 500 titles in his pocket.
Not far behind is Rafael Nadal in second place. Things did not work out according to plan for the Spaniard at the Australian Open after exiting in the quarterfinals. However, he stamped his dominance with a triumph at the recently concluded Mexican Open.
Unfortunately, Swiss maestro and record 20 Grand Slam winner Federer hasn’t had the best of times.
Federer lost his third spot to Thiem after opting to sit out for some months after undergoing surgery for his injured knee.
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