ATP Finals London: Wolfgang Thiem - "Dominic has shown incredible punches"
Dominic Thiem made his first appearance in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. The match on Thursday against Matteo Berrettini (from 15 clock live on Sky, in Austria at ServusTV and in our live ticker) will also be in the sign of health, as father Wolfgang Thiem explained in tennisnet interview.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 13, 2019, 01:45 pm
tennisnet : Mr. Thiem. Her son said in the press conference after the match against Novak Djokovic that it was the best of his life. Would you agree with that?
Wolfgang Thiem : It was certainly one of his better matches. Dominic has grown from a classic clay court to a very good hard court player. He has proved this with the Indian Wells victory, the success in Vienna, the entire season. And that's an important point for next season too. And today he played a few things that were just amazing.
tennisnet : The gameplay was extremely nerve-wracking. Did you still believe in victory at 1: 4 in the tiebreak?
Thiem : Of course we had in mind that Dominic is not 100% fit. And did not know how that will develop in the match. He had the okay of the doctor to play, there was no hesitation. And so Dominic has not worried about it. But after losing the first set in the tiebreak, the omens were not ideal. But today - perhaps with the ulterior motive, he is not 100 percent - played looser and fabricated incredible punches.
"Tsitsipas has confirmed his achievements"
tennisnet : In view of the health situation: Is there a decision to release Wednesday?
Thiem : I think that today we will do a maximum of one hour of punching practice. A little movement does not hurt. Because Dominic was treated for two hours after his match anyway, he can regenerate well. But in such a tournament week, there is only exercise therapy.
tennisnet : Could you have a picture of the strength in the other group?
Thiem : I think Dominic's group was the killer group by name. But on the other hand, the young players with Tsitsipas, Zverev and Medvedev are in the other. They all played a huge season this year. Emotionally, perhaps the Tsitsipas is the one in the best shape for me. Zverev has played a really strong game against Nadal. At Medvedev it is necessary to look first - it played incredibly in August and in September. Let's see how he takes it. It will be interesting for you next year. Then there is another expectation. And Tsitsipas has proved this year already that he can confirm his achievements. The second year is always the hardest for me. A Sinner plays a super-horny tennis, but every victory is a huge success. There is a completely different expectation. As with Medvedev, but on a different level. If Medvedev plays the last 16 in Australia, that's no longer a success. Since he has to come to the semifinals.
tennisnet: At the end: Dominic usually gets involved with his younger brother. How much better Moritz has become in the past day?
Thiem : That's wonderful. There one stands beside it and does not have to say. And he trains perfect.