Dominic Thiem: Roger Federer was toying with me early in 2019 Indian Wells final

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Dominic Thiem said Roger Federer "was toying with me" early in the 2019 Indian Wells Masters final.

In 2019, Thiem impressively recovered from a set down to beat Federer 3-6 6-3 7-5 in the Indian Wells final.

Thiem, who is now 29 years old, captured his first Masters title by beating Federer. 

In his return to Indian Wells, Thiem recalled the experience of playing the great Federer in a Masters final.

“The first set there was exactly why Roger is so popular and why people love to watch Roger so much. He was toying with me. He was playing at his best level. He was doing whatever he wanted and when he is at this level, it is impossible to play him. I was just hoping he would have one weak game in the second set and he had it and I broke and then the match was kind of opening. I am also happy I witnessed this first set, it was an unbelievable experience to play against someone playing such good tennis," Thiem told the ATP website.

Thiem: I entered the Federer match relaxed

In 2017, Thiem was beaten by Rafael Nadal in his first Masters final in Madrid.

The following year, Thiem again made the Madrid final but this time lost to Alexander Zverev.

Going into the Indian Wells final against Federer, Thiem didn't want to pressure on himself.

Thiem entered the match relaxed and it paid off as he was able to beat Federer for his first Masters title.

“For me it was an unbelievable week and I was going into the final relaxed against Roger, who was the favourite and playing well back then. I wasn’t putting any pressure [on me] because before when I played the first Madrid final I was putting pressure on myself because I wanted to win this first [ATP Masters] 1000," Thiem explained.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/bqgW3xL

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