Dominic Thiem: “Maybe it’s too difficult at this level”

Julia Grabher’s 4: 6, 3: 6 (after a walk-through) against the American Claire Liu caused little excitement, while Dominic Thiem’s ​​6: 7 (7), 2: 6 against the Italian Lorenzo Sonego caused a little more. Even if the negative run only continued, Thiem’s ​​fans had hoped for a turnaround.

The Lower Austrian is now holding onto just one win this year, won in Buenos Aires in mid-February. Since then there have been four opening defeats in a row, this year he has already left a tournament six times without a sense of achievement.

Thiem also seems a bit at a loss as to how to flip the switch: “Since I came to (North) America from South America, I’ve trained well and consistently. I’ll make sure that I continue to train like this, including fitness – above all for sand where that matters.”

Does he give in?

Because now the 29-year-old is entering the clay court season, starting at the 250 event in Estoril the week after next. Thiem’s ​​goal at the beginning of the season was to get a placement for the French Open, which starts at the end of May, but at the moment he would not even be in the main competition for this Grand Slam event. Apparently, the Lichtenwörther does not necessarily dare to get the necessary points at a high ATP level, so he is considering a temporary evasion at challenger level.

The April alternative Monte Carlo already poses an increased risk for Thiem of going completely empty again. Austria’s number one is also aware of this: “There are only players like Sonego waiting, who get their top level week after week, which I’m not able to do at the moment. Maybe it’s too difficult at that level to play a few matches win.”

He must therefore seriously consider the Challenger variant. It could be that he plays in Split instead of Monte Carlo. “Split would be a good option to gain match practice. After that, Munich is planned. “Everything else will be decided first.”

A year after the comeback

Rome also falls into this period. In May 2021, Thiem had his last win at the highest ATP level in Italy’s capital. His last match win in Grand Slam tournaments so far was at the Australian Open 2021, after which there was also a start-out in Roland Garros before the wrist injury. Thiem’s ​​comeback will be celebrated for the first time on Wednesday. After his return to the international stage last year, he was still slightly positive with 18 wins and 16 defeats, this year it is 1:8.

The chance of a win seemed great against Sonego, who hadn’t started the game with an excellent record for the year either. Like Thiem, the 27-year-old had five first-round defeats in 2023, but 30 unforced errors with only 13 winners by the Austrian came in handy. After a balanced first set, a loss of concentration that led to a 0: 4 in the second set initiated Thiem’s ​​defeat. “These holes are just not good,” said the loser.

Muddled situation

However, Thiem does not seem to like the idea of ​​​​mental care very much. “Of course, a little help is always good, but in the end I have to sort it out myself. I’m on the pitch myself, I’m out there alone,” he explained. “On the pitch, in the match, nobody can help me. I have to see that I can get it under control. I also lack self-confidence. I have to see that I can get it back. Maybe I can win a bigger one and I can manage that the knot loosens a bit.”

At least Thiem found an increase in himself, as he later announced via his manager Moritz Thiem. “The first set was really good, not perfect of course, but much better than in South America,” said Thiem. Only one or two balls would have decided.

“The only thing I can blame myself for in the first set is the last 2 points, I was still busy with my missed set ball,” Thiem continued. In any case, the last two matches were better than all the others before this year.

“At the moment I can’t assume that I’ll be back at the top very quickly,” admitted the Lower Austrian. He is now flying home and will complete a week of tennis and fitness sessions.