ATP Challenger Mauthausen: Dominic Thiem starts with "high expectations"
Dominic Thiem will start at the Challenger tournament in Mauthausen next week. The expectations are high after the strong performances in Madrid.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: May 06, 2023, 07:37 pm
The narrow defeat in the tie-break of the third set against Stefanos Tsitsipas apparently made Dominic Thiem want more. "The last performance in Madrid was very good, although of course I would have preferred to win," the Austrian was quoted as saying on the website of the ATP Challenger event in Mauthausen . "It really annoyed me after the match, but I'm still proud that things are looking up again."
In fact, Thiem's form curve has been rising steeply since the start of the European clay court season. In the duel against Tsitsipas, the 29-year-old acted on an equal footing with an absolute world-class man for the first time this year. But the Lichtenwörther doesn't want to rest on his laurels: "Now it's time to continue training and attack fully next week in Mauthausen."
Thiem relies on red-white-red support
Thiem is top seeded at the Challenger 100 tournament in the Upper Austrian market town, and the chances of a possible title seem intact given the rising shape curve. And the current world number 93 can count on the support of the red-white-red tennis fans. be sure anyway.
"Home tournaments are always very important to me and are very important. It's good not to have to travel so far for once. We're on the road a lot all year round, so I enjoy every minute at home and I'm happy that I can can finally open again in Austria", said Thiem.
Thiem looking for match practice
Despite Gael Monfils' cancellation, Thiem expects a strong field of participants in Mauthausen: "Since I'm playing better again now, I naturally have high expectations. There will be a lot of strong opponents in Mauthausen - I have to give everything in every game. The Next week is also extremely important with regard to the French Open. I need a lot of match practice."
Number two in the tournament is Hugo Gaston, with Dennis Novak, Sebastian Ofner, Filip Misolic, Lukas Neumayer and Sandro Kopp, there are five other local heroes in addition to Thiem in the main draw. The greatest chances are undoubtedly to be given to the US Open winner of 2020. "Even though the performance was good in Madrid, I only had two matches. Now it's time to get several games in a row. I'm looking forward to that," said Thiem.