Dominic Thiem saved himself the boat trip from the player's hotel directly at the London Eye to the O2 Arena in 2019 from the middle of the week. A small cold made it seem more sensible to move into the hotel right next to the hall in which the ATP Finals have been held since 2009. In the current edition, the last in London, the Austrian number one does not have to worry about a possible move: Due to the corona pandemic, all players are now accommodated as close as possible to the O2 Arena.

It would only be a five-minute walk from the hotel to the complex, but that was not allowed. In general, the precautions in London would be almost as strict as in New York City: only two people were allowed at a table, unless they were five meters away. He has also not seen anyone in the hotel who had nothing to do with the season's final tournament.

The good news is that all players are in top shape in London. Of course, that includes him himself after he still had problems with a bladder in Vienna. On the contrary: He is in so good shape that he could travel to Australia immediately after the London week to play a major there, Thiem said in the international part of the press conference on Media Day. In 2019 that would not have been the case at all.

Thiem would play Tokyo in 2021

Somewhat surprising was Thiem's announcement that he would take part in the Olympic Games next year. Tokyo is one of his favorite cities and he has fundamentally changed his mind about the games. In the meantime, it would be a pleasure for him to play in Tokyo, in 2021 that would also be possible, this year he had canceled early due to the commitment in Kitzbühel.

The change of opinion would have started in 2016. Thiem decided early on against starting in Rio de Janeiro. And then, based on the emotions of Juan Martin del Potro or Andy Murray, determined that he would like to experience something like that too. If he continues his career, he could still compete in three Olympics.

Sugar against tsitsipas at the beginning

But right now it's about London. And the repetition of the final of 2019 would bring a "treat", so Thiem. Basically, a good start is extremely important, he has learned that from his previous appearances in London. Last year he succeeded in beating Roger Federer, and in the second match he won against Novak Djokovic.

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