Dominic Thiem: "Fatigue and pain that are not normal"
The Austrian was depressed and a bit perplexed when he came into interview room 2 more than an hour after his second round task at the Australian Open. In the next few days, examinations will follow at home to find out the reason for the physical weakness.
by Ulrike Weinrich from Melbourne
last edit:
Jan 17, 2019, 03:23 pm
Moving on - that wasn't a real option for Thiem on a muggy summer evening at the Melbourne Arena. He felt "tiredness and pain", which are not normal. I felt sick, weak, so it made no sense for me to keep playing. "
At the score of 5: 7, 4: 6, 0: 2, the French Open finalist in seventh place pulled the ripcord against wildcard holder Alexei Popyrin (Australia) - and gave up. In the hours that followed, he felt "bad and shit".
He could not explain his physical weakness. "It was okay yesterday, but today I realized that I am not up to par," said the 25-year-old.
He still believed that he could play a good match, but then it got "worse instead of better" on the court.
"There is something in the body that doesn't belong there"
Thiem did not believe that the late end of the first round match against Benoit Paire (France) on Wednesday night around 2:00 a.m. local time could have had a negative impact on his physical condition: "I'm usually fit, so it shouldn't be a problem if I do get ready a bit later. "
Thiem "susceptible" to colds
Thiem already had a cold in the training camp on the Canary Island of Tenerife - and again after arriving in Melbourne.
"In this regard, he was" already vulnerable, "said the world ranking night who wants to fly home on Friday to undergo a check and blood tests as soon as possible, because:" There is something in the body that does not belong there . "
After the evaluation, it will then be decided whether and how long I have to pause.
Therefore, Thiem could not yet assess whether he would like to join the Austrian Davis Cup team on the 1st / 2nd February against Chile in Salzburg.
Further planning stipulates that the Lichtenwörther will start at the clay court tournaments in Cordoba (from February 4), Buenos Aires (from February 11) and Rio de Janeiro (from February 18).
A little sand, a little hard court "... and then we're in Paris"
After that, a training block is planned in the USA before the hard court Masters in Indian Wells and Miami continue in March.
The events in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome are to follow for the "Dominator", "and then we will be in Paris," said Thiem, referring to the French Open (from May 26), at which he will do it in 2018 Had lost the final against Rafael Nadal (Spain). But first of all it means: get fit!
In any case, he had imagined the start of the season - four defeats, one win, one task - quite differently.