Dominic Thiem looking to continue Grand Slam success in 2021

While 2020 was a tumultuous year, with difficulties and setbacks aplenty, Dominic Thiem will always remember it as the year he finally claimed his maiden Grand Slam title - a bright spot amidst the darkness of a bleak year. That victory in the US Open was the culmination of Thiem's career up until that point, and the nature in which he came from behind to defeat Alexander Zverev in the final proved his qualities as a champion.

But the Austrian won't be content to rest on his laurels. With a new year comes a chance to add to his total of Grand Slam triumphs, and make his name as a multiple major winner. The first opportunity comes at the Australian Open, where Thiem will be among the favourites on the bet exchange to win the tournament.

Thiem proved at Flushing Meadows that he has the ability to win a Grand Slam on hard courts, and he'll be hoping to use that experience to propel him towards further success. It could well prove that getting over the line at last after three prior losses in Grand Slam finals will have a galvanising effect on him in the months and years to come. If anything, winning the US Open was about Thiem proving to himself that he does indeed have the talent to win these big events.

That emotional triumph was followed by a comparatively disappointing performance in the French Open, where Thiem bowed out at the quarter-final stage after a five-set defeat to Diego Schwartzman. Now, fully revitalised, you'd fancy Thiem's chances of causing a stir in Melbourne come the tournament's February 8th start date.

He'll have his work cut out if he's going to win the second Slam of his career next month, with the presence of both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal a major stumbling block to every player with pretensions of success in Melbourne. Indeed, Djokovic has won the Australian Open in each of the last two years, and has lifted the trophy eight times in total. So that's the kind of experience and knowhow Thiem will have to get the better of if he is to experience victory Down Under.

But the feeling that accompanied that triumph at the US Open will be one that Thiem is keen to experience again soon. "I achieved a life goal, a dream of myself, which I had for many, many years," the Austrian said at the time. "I dedicated basically my whole life until this point to win one of the four majors. Now I did it. That's also for myself a great accomplishment.

"With this goal achieved, I think and I hope that I'm going to be a little bit more relaxed and play a little bit more freely at the biggest events."

That is the aim for every individual sportsperson – to play like it means nothing when it means everything. But it's true that a certain weight has been lifted from Thiem's shoulders, and he now has a chance to go out and give his all, safe in the knowledge that he will always be remembered as a Grand Slam champion.

The true greats, however, are revered for the fact that they proved that they could do it time and time again at the highest level. That will be the goal for Thiem between now and the end of his career – to earn the victories which will grant him access to that elite bracket.