Dominic Thiem: 2019 can come
Finally. The tennis-free period is almost over and traditionally six of the best men will meet at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) in Abu Dhabi at the end of December. The player field can be seen again this year.
by Florian Heer
last edit: Dec 26, 2018, 07:40 pm
By Florian Heer from Abu Dhabi
With world number one Novak Djokovic and 17-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, two of the absolute top stars of the scene in the capital of the United Arab Emirates will be there in the next three days. Dominic Thiem, defending champion Kevin Anderson, up-and-coming Russian Karen Khachanov and Korean next-gen ATP winner from 2017, Hyeon Chung, are also other top players. These four actors met the press representatives at the official player hotel before the tournament kicked off tomorrow.
Thiem was able to draw a positive summary of the year 2018. “It was a really good season, especially because of the results at the Grand Slam tournaments. Playing the final in Paris and going far at the US Open makes me very happy to look back on the past year. ”
The current number 8 in the world sees the greatest potential for improvement in the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. "It is clearly my goal to do better here than in previous years," says Thiem as a slogan.
Thiem is looking for a replacement coach
The Spaniard Galo Blanco will no longer be on Thiem's side. The former tennis professional from Asturias will be under contract as Chief Competition Officer at Kosmos Tennis.
“It is a pity that the partnership with Galo has ended. Unfortunately, there was no other option as it is not compatible with his new job. Nonetheless, we had a fantastic year together. ”Thiem hasn't found a replacement yet. "I'm still looking for a second coach next to Günter (Bresnik). It is important to me that it is a former player who knows the tour. Maybe someone who even has a game similar to mine. That could definitely help me. "
From the Canaries to the desert
Although Thiem has already completed a four-week training camp in Tenerife, the Austrian does not yet seem to have got used to the sunny conditions beyond the 20 degree mark. For Media Day under palm trees on the island of Saadiyat, he appeared as the only player in his supplier's long-sleeved gray training hoodie.
“Preparing for the Canary Islands has become a tradition. I've been there for the seventh time and it almost feels like a home away from home. With Struff, Goffin and Sousa I had a lot of good training partners. It was a good time, ”says Thiem.
Serious exhibition
In the desert state, Thiem not only wants to enjoy the beautiful weather, but also to set a first fragrance brand in the still young season, before it finally comes to the first world ranking points in 2019 in Doha next week.
"There is a really strong line-up here," says Thiem. "The first match against Karen (Khachanov will be a real endurance test. It was only a matter of time for me when he would be used on the tour. He is a top player with no real weaknesses. He has a powerful and fast Game, but nobody here knows where he is at the moment. Everyone is highly motivated. I will do everything I can to win against Karen and get as far as possible in the tournament. "
At its premiere in Abu Dhabi last year, Thiem lost to South African Kevin Anderson in the semi-finals. But the atmosphere in the Zayed Sports City had impressed Thiem. “Unfortunately, besides the ATP tournament in Dubai with the MWTC, there are only two tournaments in the United Arab Emirates. It's always fun to compete here and the fans are great too. ”