ATP Belgrade: Dominic Thiem - "I plan to play every week before the French Open"
In the run-up to the ATP 250 event in Belgrade,Dominic Thiem commented on his plans and goals for this year's European clay court season. In Serbia, the Austrian will play his first tournament on the ATP tour since his protracted wrist injury.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Apr 18, 2022, 12:43 pm
Dominic Thiem, with all due respect, could have had it worse at the ATP 250 event. The fact that the Austrian will face John Millman at the start is definitely not a disadvantage for the 28-year-old. Not only is the former world number one spared an early duel with a seeded player, such as Miomir Kecmanovic, who was in good form recently, or the clay court specialist Cristian Garin, with Millman there is also a task waiting for him, which, due to his safe baseline game, is quite grateful for finding his own game may be designated.
This should undoubtedly be the main goal for the former world number three in the coming weeks with performances in Belgrade, Estoril, Madrid & Co. Especially since the first appearance since the month-long injury break - at the ATP Challenger event in Marbella - was still far from Thiem's top form. And with the detected COVID infection, it also brought real bad news to light.
Thiem is planning a dense program before the French Open
Thiem is said to be suffering from the aftermath of the infection, but as is well known, this does not stand in the way of competing in Belgrade: tomorrow, Tuesday, the 28-year-old will play his first match on the tour in almost exactly ten months. "I'm leaving a very long period of recovery behind me. I feel happy to be back in Belgrade," said Thiem at the opening press conference in Belgrade.
However, the Lower Austrian does not want to have too high expectations for his appearance in Belgrade: "I don't know how I will play, but I know that I will fight for every point. For me, Belgrade marks the beginning of this tennis season." One thing is also certain: Thiem is planning a dense program for the coming weeks. "I plan to play every week before Roland-Garros. I'm ready for the first game," Thiem is quoted as saying on B92.net.
Thiem is already looking at the French Open 2023
The return to the tour is an enormously important milestone for Thiem on his way back to the top of the sport, as he explained: “It is very important for me to start playing again. Belgrade will give me the opportunity to work with many of the Playing and coaching top 10 tennis players. I'm not sure about my game or my physical condition, but I think it's important to fight for every point."
The Austrian will probably only be aiming for the really big titles again next year, as he cautiously hinted: "I hope that I can play tennis at a high level again. Roland-Garros is just around the corner, a special tournament and I'm looking forward to it looking forward to playing there," said Thiem in the run-up to the ATP 250 event. "I don't know what to expect. I hope that in 2023 I can secure that place among the top players that I have had in the past, namely that I can win Roland-Garros because I intend to play in this tournament to be in top form."