Austria’s tennis star Dominic Thiem, who has not played a match on the ATP tour since June 22, 2021 due to a hand injury suffered in Mallorca, has not appeared among the top 50 players in the world for the first time since April 5, 2015. The 28-year-old from Lichtenwörther lost twelve positions and is only number 52. If the healing process goes according to plan, Thiem wants to return to the big stage at the hard court event in Indian Wells that starts on March 10th. Ex-US Open champion Thiem won the second largest of his 17 titles there three years ago – after a 3: 6, 6: 3, 7: 5 victory in the final against Roger Federer.
Preparation in Miami
Thiem has already postponed his comeback twice. In December, due to an illness and a lack of training, he decided not to compete at an exhibition in Abu Dhabi and subsequently also against a start at the Australian Open. At the beginning of February, the Lower Austrian wanted to start on sand in Cordoba, but a bruise between his knuckles forced another break of several days.
“I attribute that one hundred percent to overloading, the wrist is perfect, everything fits,” said Thiem at the time. After his return from South America and a short stay at home, the Grand Slam winner moved to Miami, where he is preparing intensively for the upcoming tasks.
The red-white-red figurehead is not lacking in ambition and passion. “The primary goal is to play like I did before my injury. If everything goes well, I hope it will be like this again in the summer,” explained Thiem. “When I was number three in the world and playing for the biggest titles, I went out there knowing I could beat anyone.” The competition felt the strength of the “Dominator” more often. Thiem has already been in a major final four times – twice at the French Open (against Rafael Nadal), once at the Australian Open (against Novak Djokovic) and once in his US Open triumph in 2020 (against Alexander Zverev).
Djokovic under pressure
Speaking of Djokovic: The Serb, who was expelled from Australia after his sensational ban from starting in Melbourne, will compete in Dubai this week. Professionals who have not been vaccinated against the corona virus also have a license to play there. The 34-year-old Serb has now led the world rankings for 361 consecutive weeks. If he fails in the United Arab Emirates before the quarter-finals, he will definitely lose pole position to Daniil Medvedev (Rus).
“It’s in his hands, he deserves to be number one. I’ll be the first to congratulate him,” Djokovic said of his rival.
Source: Nachrichten
