The Real Reason I Took Down Rafael Nadal and How I Plan to Destroy Novak Djokovic

Dominic Thiem, the Austrian tennis sensation, has been making waves in the tennis world with his recent victories against the Big Three - Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer. In an exclusive interview, Thiem opened up about his tactics and strategies that helped him take down the giants of the game, and revealed his most underrated shot that often catches his opponents off guard.

One of the most significant victories of Thiem's career was against Rafael Nadal at the 2018 US Open. In a thrilling encounter, Thiem came from behind to win 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-5). Thiem credits his victory to the clever use of the 'moonball' tactic, where he deliberately hits high-arcing shots that push Nadal back and forces him to generate power from behind the baseline. This tactic not only neutralizes Nadal's aggressive playing style but also makes him more vulnerable to Thiem's precise and powerful forehand.

'Nadal is an incredible player, but he is also a very aggressive player,' Thiem explained. 'When he is on top of the baseline, he is almost unbeatable. But when you push him back, he starts to struggle. That's why I used the moonball tactic, to push him back and make him generate power from a distance.'

Thiem has also had his fair share of battles with Novak Djokovic, the world's number one player. In their rivalry, Djokovic leads 7-5 in head-to-head matches, but Thiem has been narrowing the gap in recent years. According to Thiem, the key to taking down Djokovic is to be patient and not get drawn into a baseline battle. 'Djokovic is an incredible athlete, but he can also be a bit emotional at times,' Thiem said. 'When you get him frustrated, he starts to make errors. My tactic against him is to stay calm, be patient, and wait for the right moment to strike.'

Despite his impressive arsenal of shots, Thiem believes that his most underrated shot is the 'dropper.' The dropper is a cleverly disguised shot that is hit with a lot of spin but very little power. The aim of the dropper is to deceive the opponent into thinking that the ball is going to sail long, only for it to drop short and catch them off guard. Thiem says that the dropper is a shot that has won him many points over the years, and it's a shot that he's constantly working to improve.

'The dropper is a great shot because it's so difficult to anticipate,' Thiem said. 'When I hit it just right, my opponents are often left scrambling to recover. It's a shot that requires a lot of practice and finesse, but it's also a shot that can make a huge difference in a tight match.'