Dominic Thiem: "Fit like never before" and "very optimistic"
Dominic Thiem is currently preparing for the 2023 season in Oberpullendorf. In an interview with the Krone, the Lower Austrian gave an insight into the status quo.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Nov 28, 2022, 07:30 pm
The hardest part, it seems, is now behind Dominic Thiem. And that in two ways: Firstly, in terms of comeback, where the Lower Austrian got the unpleasant taste of a veritable series of defeats in the 2022 season, only to slowly but surely find his way back on track at the end of the year. And on the other hand with regard to the preparation for the coming season: because the very hard condition block seems to have already been beaten there without picking up the tennis racket.
At least that's what statements by the Austrian to the Krone suggest: "Currently the focus is still on the conditional area. I feel very good, I'm full of juice, I'm fitter than ever," explained Thiem. "I only picked up my racket again a few days ago. But playing on the pitch is now becoming more and more intense," emphasized the Austrian, who looks back on the 2022 season with "mixed feelings". "I've won a lot of games, but I've also suffered painful defeats. Overall, I took a lot of experience with me from the season."
Thiem is hot for a showdown with youngsters
One experience that Thiem is still missing, however, is that of meeting one of those gentlemen who are at the spearhead of the young guard who have been making their mark on tennis more and more in recent months. Of course we're talking about Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune: "They're exciting, they play very differently, they're so uncompromising. I've never played against Alcaraz, Rune or Sinner before, but I'm looking forward to it," emphasized the Austrian.
The mood in Team Thiem, however, is consistently good, and the view towards 2023 is "very" optimistic: "I've learned a lot in the last few months. And I'm in a very good mood, there's nothing against a good season," explained the Lower Austrian. Who will soon be heading towards Dubai, where first an exhibition event and then a Christmas far away from home are planned. And then? "Then it goes to Australia," explains Thiem.