I don't know if this is controversial or popular but the big 4 doesn't exist.
You have Federer and Nadal
Then Djokovic
Then several tiers down you have Murray and Wawrinka.
I feel like big four was always a thing British media did to elevate Murray
Crazy part is Thiem is very, very good and arguably the best player of the coming generation......and still gets smushed like a bug.
17 Grand Slams
Wow
I wouldn't say so. Zverev is two and a half years younger with lots of ceiling left and with three "1000" level titles to his credit already. However, one could argue on the record that Thiem is the superior clay court player.Better than that A Zaverav?
Legit asking
I wouldn't say so. Zverev is two and a half years younger with lots of ceiling left and with three "1000" level titles to his credit already. However, one could argue on the record that Thiem is the superior clay court player.
I'm not a fan of Zverev's build and how that fares against "stockier" athletes like Nadal, Federer or even Del Potro. Plus, Zverev still hasn't broken through to a GS final, which Thiem has now done. Frankly, as good as Thiem, Zverev, Shapovalov and Kyrgios are, if they are the best the next generation has to offer, tennis is in for an extensive dark age when Rog and Rafa hang up their twigs (I was going to say the same for Andy and Djoker, but I can't see either or them improving at this point). Having said all of that, Thiem and Zverev seem like good dudes, and Thiem is definitely my pick to be the long-term GS threat as he has the temperament, aggression and spin to be affective on all surfaces, despite the antiquated one-handed backhand (which really did him in Sunday).
I dunno. Zverev is much better than Thiem was at the same age (i.e 21) and to me looks like a bigger GS threat long-term. I'd even say I expect Zverev to win multiple slams by the time he is 25 compared to zero slams before the age of 25 for Thiem.
Except Thiem doesn't.Care to qualify your opinion?
Zverev vs. Federer & Nadal: 2-8 (both wins over Federer)
Thiem vs Federer and Nadal: 5-8 (winning record vs. Federer)
More titles than Zverev (10 vs 8)
Thiem has reached the semis or better at a GS 3 times
Zverev has passed a GS quarters, and only reach that stage once
I think Zverev is a great young talent and I definitely prefer his two-handed backhanded to any one-handed backhand, but Thiem poses more problems across all surfaces.
Except Thiem doesn't.
Here are the relevant ATP career statistics in terms of winning percentages on all surfaces:
Clay:
Thiem: 752%
Zverev: 707%
Grass:
Thiem: 542%
Zverev: 690%
Hard:
Thiem: 542%
Zverev: 613%
Thiem's record against Top Ten players is 310%; Zverev's record is 429%
Thiem's record in finals is 527%; Zverev's record is 576%
Also your titles comparison neglects the fact that Thiem has had two and a half years to acquire more titles than his younger opponent. Plus, of course, Zverev has already acquired three "1000" level championships to zero for Thiem.
Zverev is 3 1/2 years younger than Thiem actually.
For a proper Apples to Apples comparison consider that when Thiem was the age that Zverev is right now (i.e. 21 years and 1 months) he was ranked outside of the top 40 and had been past the second round of a major once.