Dominic Thiem - followed Novak Djokovic's call to Belgrade
Instead of the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Barcelona, Dominic Thiem will contest the one category smaller event in Belgrade.Novak Djokovic is not entirely innocent of this either.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 25, 2021, 10:57 am
When Novak Djokovic calls, hardly anyone can resist. Not even Dominic Thiem. This is how it was in 2020 at the Adria Tour, and this is how it will be in a few weeks' time in connection with the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Belgrade. "Djokovic is the organizer there and asked Dominic if he wanted to play. Apart from Corona, the Adria Tour was also a great event in principle. The tennis fanaticism there is insane."
From fanaticism Dominc Thiem has received a maximum of one slice in the last few weeks: The third-round match against Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open was perhaps even the highlight of 2021 from a mood perspective, in Doha at least a few people were allowed into the stadium in Dubai there was a yawning emptiness in the stands when they were eliminated against Lloyd Harris.
Thiem and Djokovic in Monte Carlo
How full the grandstands in Belgrade will be between April 19 and 25 is still open. The spring break almost a year ago, including the Players Party, quickly turned into huge disillusionment. And one thing was reserved for the fans in Belgrade on the Adria Tour: The direct encounter between Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem. The Austrian won the exhibition fight tournament, Djokovic was eliminated in the semifinals.
Before that, however, the clay court season in Monte Carlo has to be opened with a classic. Novak Djokovic has already won this tournament twice, but Dominic Thiem is still missing out on victory in the Principality. The last one for an Austrian happened 25 years ago: In 1996 Thomas Muster defeated Albert Costa in five sets in the final. And won for the third time at the Monte Carlo Country Club.