Austrian star Dominic Thiem lost in five-sets to Novak Djokovic in the 2020 Australian Open final

Dominic Thiem seemed set to win his first Grand Slam as he raced into a 2-1 lead after three sets in the 2020 Australian Open.

However, Novak Djokovic found his second breath and won the next two sets to win an enthralling encounter.

Djokovic seemed to be out of sorts in the second and third sets but a long break allowed him to regain his composure.

It was Thiem who looked out of breath in the second half of the match, and in the end, Djokovic’s experience came through.

The Djoker is now 8-0 in Australian Open finals, which is a record, and Thiem praised his rival’s team for his consistent performances.

The Austrian was also “proud and happy” playing at this level, and hoped he would break his Grand Slam duck soon.

Thiem also had some great words for the Australian people after the bushfires that had ravaged the country before and during the Grand Slam:

“There are way more important things in life, and it is tough what this beautiful country has been through and is going through.

“I think the Australian Open was a great distraction but Australia is so amazing, so beautiful. The people and wildlife that are affected, they are recovering very soon and a disaster like this never happens again.”

Always a tough ask to speak after a loss but brilliantly done @ThiemDomi.

We can't wait to see you back next year 👋 #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/N2fOpOdvXk

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 2, 2020

So near, yet so far for Thiem

For a good two hours, it seemed that Thiem would break his Grand Slam duck as Djokovic was nowhere to be seen.

However, the Austrian didn’t make his dominance count to close the game. Djokovic sniffed a chance in the fourth set, and that was it for Thiem.

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This was still a great start to the season for the Austrian, and hopefully, he will win a Grand Slam before this year is done.

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