Dominic Thiem: Back at the court & waiting for Novavax
Dominic Thiem has invited Austria's media landscape to a "round table" in St. Lorenz am Mondsee to talk about his injury, his comeback plans and the big issue of COVID vaccination.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 11, 2021, 07:09 pm
Dominic Thiem already had to draw a line under a messed up 2021 season a few weeks ago. The negative climax, if you will, after initially the trip to Australia had brought a bitter end, the desert adventures disappointing performances and the French Open a first-round end. The wrist injury at the ATP event in Mallorca, a preparatory tournament for Wimbledon, not only ruined the 2021 season, but in particular Thiem's dreams of defending the title in Flushing Meadows.
A ray of hope last followed at the beginning of October when it was clear: Thiem does not need an operation on his wrist, the dream of the Australian Open next January is alive. In the course of a "round table" with Austria's media representatives in St. Lorenz am Mondsee, the Austrian said: "Today I played ten minutes of tennis again for the first time", with soft balls and on the half-court, but still: The starting shot for his comeback has now finally fallen. Thiem would like to serve at competition level for the first time this year, namely at an invitation tournament in Abu Dhabi from December 16 to 18.
Thiem wants to start training at the end of November
The Lichtenwörther is pursuing his comeback plans in Upper Austria in the training center of sponsor Redbull, the APC (Athlete Performance Center), where he has a perfect infrastructure "to prepare me as best as possible for my comeback." Who also wanted to draw a line under the public dispute with ex-physio Alex Stober in the course of the appointment. The Austrian emphasized that it was his mistake not to inform his long-time companion personally about the separation. Thiem wanted to talk to Stober in the coming days.
After the positive diagnosis at the beginning of October, the US Open Champion from 2020 will leave for Belgium again in October to see his doctor, Frederik Ferstreken, for a final wrist examination. If everything goes according to plan there, Thiem wants to "finally hit the balls again" in November. In any case, the COVID-19 vaccination, which may be mandatory for the Australian Open, should not pose a threat to Thiem's comeback plans. "I actually wanted to be vaccinated with the inactivated Novavax vaccine. If that doesn't work, I'll just take another vaccine," the 28-year-old assured. In terms of sport, however, you shouldn't expect too much from Thiem in Down Under given the long break.
Thiem: Review and Outlook
With regard to the Australian Open, Thiem plans to go into the tournament with an expected ranking of 20th place. The Lichtenwörther will not be able to use the Protexted Ranking as he will not be able to participate in any preparatory exhibitions. "But I need every match in preparation," emphasized Thiem. Looking back on difficult last months, especially the weeks before the US Open - the vain hope of a start - were demanding: "The first phase in particular was mentally bad. Somehow I was still hoping for a start at the US Open, but I did Then there were always setbacks. When it became clear that I had to end the season early, it was a little easier. Then I didn't do anything for four weeks. "
Now the fire is blazing again in the world ranking eighth. In addition to the short-term hunger for success, Thiem also addressed the long-term perspective: He wanted to play "seven to ten years" anyway, but the long break showed that the 28-year-old "has no problems to lead a normal life later. " The reason for the injury was ultimately also foreseeable to a certain extent, Thiem reativated: "My first half of my career was great, I would never have dreamed of such great seven years. And I've never been seriously injured until now. But when you have ten, eleven Hit a ball 1000 times a day for years, it is clear that there will be an injury at some point. "