ATP: Thomas Muster considers top 30 for Dominic Thiem "possible this year"
Thomas Muster appeared in Vienna on Tuesday as an ambassador for the ATP World Tour 500 event in the Wiener Stadthalle. He also took the opportunity to give his assessment of Dominic Thiem's future.
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit: May 04, 2023, 12:08 pm
Thomas Muster is not only a legend in Austria - the only red-white-red tennis pro to date who was able to take the top position in the ATP ranking knows only too well what achievements and privations it takes to be at the forefront of top-class sport be. The man from Leibnitz had his personal career highlight in 1995 when he was allowed to stretch the trophy of the French Open into the Paris sky. To date, no compatriot has been able to imitate this feat either.
The ÖTV player who clearly comes closest to Muster's achievements is the current Austrian number one, Dominic Thiem. A Grand Slam triumph connects - the Lower Austrian managed the feat in 2020 at the US Open. Two other facts about the two exceptional talents are also binding: Thiem sent Muster to his second tennis pension in the Wiener Stadthalle in 2011 and in 2020 the Styrian was a three-week short-term coach in "Team Thiem". The 44-time tournament champion has a profound (insight) view of the strengths and weaknesses of the Lichtenwörther.
Quarter or round of 16 possible in Paris
The resulting assessments of Thiem's complicated career situation were presented by Muster during a visit to the famous Floridsdorf Heurigen "Christ": The current development of the 29-year-old is "very gratifying. Unfortunately, the comeback was as complicated as one imagined has." Dominic needs a lot of repetitions, needs self-confidence. "But you only get that if you win matches."
Muster is critical of some of the actions that the two-time ATP Finals finalist has taken in the last two or three years: "Sometimes catastrophic decisions have been made, Dominic has maneuvered himself into a dead end. At some point he asked himself the question, what he wants: stop or keep playing?". That's why the change of coach followed - a lot has changed since then.
In conclusion, the 55-year-old ex-superstar also thinks a lot is possible in 2023: "Dominic can certainly beat one or the other top player in Paris. A round of 16 or quarter-finals is possible. Personally, I think the top 30 is possible this year." Thiem still has a few years ahead of him, even if it's not getting any easier and the competition is getting bigger.