ATP Masters Indian Wells: Dominic Thiem - Mixed memories are awakened
Dominic Thiem is back in Indian Wells. There, where he won the first major title of his career in 2019. The Austrian will not only go into his first round game with positive memories.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit:
Mar 08, 2023, 08:08 am
Four years have passed since Dominic Thiem 's triumph in Indian Wells. Four years in which a lot happened not only globally, but also in the comparatively small tennis world. For example, Roger Federer, then Thiem's opponent in the final, has now given up the racquet. And a lot has happened with the Austrian himself since winning the tournament in the Californian desert.
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Thiem can now call himself a Grand Slam winner. It was 2020, at the US Open. A circumstance that many critics - it seems - have apparently already forgotten in view of the current form crisis. But of course, from the point of view of the former world number three, the past two seasons have not gone according to plan.
Good memories of Mannarino - with one exception
The absolute low point was a wrist injury that Thiem suffered in Mallorca in June 2021. Opponent then: Adrian Mannarino. Ironically, the man that the Lichtenwörther will meet in the first round of Indian Wells. In a way, Thiem has come full circle in California.
With the exception of the appearance on the Spanish holiday island, Thiem's memories of the French are consistently positive. The 29-year-old won all eight matches that ended regularly. However, the Austrian will not go into the game as a favorite, as he has not been in top form so far this season.
Thiem reveals "mental problems"
Thiem has only won one match so far this season. The promising start against Alex Molcan was followed by three defeats in a row on the South American tour. After the bankruptcy in Santiago against Cristian Garin, the Lower Austrian even spoke publicly of "mental problems" .
With the return to hard court, however, Thiem also has an opportunity: since his return to the tour, he has presented himself significantly better on this surface than on his actual parade surface, sand. And as is well known, Thiem also won the two biggest titles of his career on hard court.
Here the individual tableau in Indian Wells
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