Dominic Thiem in front of THIEM's 7: "Casual Challenge"
If someone had predicted this in the previous year, he probably would not have believed it: Dominic Thiem will not return to Kitzbühel in 2020, initially as a defending champion, but as a tournament organizer. The coronavirus epidemic made it necessary to postpone the Generali Open until September. Thiem is now coming to the Gamsstadt with "Thiem's 7", a show tournament.
by APA
last edit: Jul 06, 2020, 10:29 am
The third in the world rankings has invited seven other players to Kitzbühel, where from Tuesday two groups will be playing for a total of 300,000 euros in prize money (100,000 for the winner). Thiem, of course in top form, meets the Russian Andrej Rublev (ATP 14th), the German Jan-Lennard Struff (34th) and the Norwegian Casper Ruud (36th). In the second pool, Matteo Berrettini (ITA / ATP-8.), Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP / 12.), Karen Khachanov (RUS / 15.) And Thiem's best friend, the newly minted ÖTV state champion Dennis Novak (85. ).
The mode is (almost) like the ATP finals in London. In the semifinals, the respective group leaders meet the group leaders of the other pool. In the third set there will only be one match tie-break (tie-break up to 10) in the groups. The semifinali will be played on Friday (1.30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.), on Saturday it will be about 3rd place (11.30 a.m.) and the winner check (1.00 p.m.). There is also a small Austrian tournament as a side event with Sebastian Ofner, Lucas Miedler and Jurij Rodionov.
The matches will be broadcast on ServusTV, and Eurosport could also be won as an international partner.
Dominic Thiem: "It was a lot of fun"
"It was the first time I saw a bit in the organization calling the players and asking if they were coming, which was a lot of fun," said Thiem recently on ORF. "Of course it is also the first time in Kitzbühel since the emotional triumph last year," he recalls the title win, which was followed by the Austria double with the Stadthallen victory.
Thiem sees this idea, which emerged from the corona crisis, as a "casual challenge". "My father Wolfgang is there as a sporting director and many Kitzbühelers are behind this project," said Thiem in a preview of "his" tournament.
This year's Australian Open finalist has been in Kitzbühel since Saturday. "It is just fantastic to be here again. I arrived in the best weather and have already had a good training session. Now it is time to adjust to the altitude," said Thiem. He is also really looking forward to seeing some players again. "I haven't met most of them since March, since Indian Wells."
Thiem to Kitzbühel to Berlin
In times of the corona crisis there are extensive hygiene and protective measures, however in Kitzbühel 500 spectators are allowed for each session (there is a day and an evening session). Currently there are tickets for all days, some of which are quite high.
All employees who will be in close contact with players and spectators have been and are being tested for the corona virus, as are all players. So far, all 30 tests performed have been negative.
Thiem will travel on to Kitzbühel for the next exhibition tournament in Berlin. "It will also be interesting because it is on the lawn and on the court with the location." After that, a week off is planned, and intensive preparation for the two tournaments in New York (Cincinnati with location NY and US Open) follows - if they can take place.
If everything goes according to the new ATP plan, the Generali Open in Kitzbühel will take place from September 8th to 13th. By the way, in the second week of the US Open.