By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday September 13, 2020
There are two sides to every coin—and every Grand Slam final—and as Dominic Thiem felt relief and pure joy after getting over the hump on Sunday in New York, Alexander Zverev only could feel the sting of the loss.
After Thiem became the first player to rally from two sets down in a US Open final in 71 years, 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6(6), the German broke down in tears during his runner-up speech as he thanked his parents, who could not travel with him after testing positive for Covid-19 prior to the tournament.
“I want to thank my parents,” Zverev said, pausing as he was overcome by tears. “They are always with me at every single tournament. Unfortunately my dad and my mother got tested positive before the tournament and they couldn’t travel with me. I miss them.”
The German would pause again, overcome with emotion, before continuing.
“I’m sure they’re sitting at home, even though I lost they’re pretty proud, I wish one day that I can bring the trophy home,” he said.
Zverev drops to 0-8 lifetime against Top 10 players at Grand Slams with his loss, and 2-8 lifetime against Thiem.