Dominic Thiem said there are only "small details" between himself and tennis's Big Three and he's convinced a breakthrough is imminent after losing the Australian Open final Sunday to Novak Djokovic.
The courageous Austrian enjoyed his best ever tournament at Melbourne Park, taking down four seeds, including Rafael Nadal, to reach the decider.
He looked on track for a maiden Grand Slam title after going two sets to one in front, but the experienced Serbian star staged a gutsy comeback to leave him empty-handed once again after losing the last two French Open finals to Nadal.
Despite this, the 26-year-old was encouraged at how close he and others, notably Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, now are to challenging the all-conquering Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer.
"I think it's only small details. In the last two finals -- US Open and here -- it was really close. It could have gone either way for Daniil in US Open (against Nadal) and for me here," he said, referring to Medvedev's five-setter with Nadal at Flushing Meadows.
"It takes nothing more than just little bit of luck, little details here and there."
"Me and also the other young players have definitely the potential to win a Slam."