'It's a joke': After taking down Djokovic, Thiem awaits Nadal in Paris

Dominic Thiem, having defeated Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the French Open, next plays Rafael Nadal.

"It's a joke, how tough it is to win a Slam,” Thiem told reporters at Roland Garros. “Obviously now I beat Novak, but on Friday it is Nadal—the toughest opponent ever here in Roland Garros. Then, in the finals, there is another top star. That's why it's a Slam, it is because it's such a tough achievement."

Two weeks ago, Thiem defeated Nadal in Rome and fell to Djokovic the next day in the semifinals.

"So far I have always played [a] way worse match the following day if I beat a top guy,” said Thiem, who will get a day off before the semifinals. “So I hope I can improve that.”

Nadal won his quarterfinal against Pablo Carreno Busta, who retired in the second set.

Holding Serve with Roger Federer will air on Thursday, June 8th at 2 p.m. ET, only on Tennis Channel.

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