Dominic Thiem in Kitzbühel - family reunion with a happy ending
Dominic Thiem won his 14th title on the ATP tour in Kitzbühel, his first in Austria. That should relieve the pressure on future appearances at home.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Aug 03, 2019, 09:15 pm
By Jens Huiber from Kitzbühel
And at some point the entire Thiem family was gathered on the Center Court in Kitzbühel, for a photo with the freshest winner of the Generali Open, who is practically the most successful offspring of this Thiem family. Dominic, 25 years old for a few weeks, took the middle seat in the large team photo, the golden chamois in hand.
A similar portrait was created on Tuesday evening at the Players Party, one day before the tournament favorite started playing in the traditional summer tournament. There followed victories against Sebastian Ofner, Pablo Andujar, Lorenzo Sonego and on Saturday against Albert Ramos-Vinolas, all without losing the set. And generally safe. In the final, Thiem initially lacked the right access to the match and opponents, from the rain break the favorite came back more resolutely, offering the Spaniard more trajectory in his balls. Probably on the advice of his coach Nicolas Massu. Hence the only one in the large family photo with whom Dominic Thiem can only speak in English.
Dominic Thiem now continues to Montreal
Thiem has now won as many titles in Kitzbühel as his coach and Thomas Muster. Gently sprouting rumors that the legendary left-hander would personally give the final in the stadium, which was actually built in his honor, did not materialize. Even new manager Herwig Strake did not make it to Kitzbühel, the dates of the city hall zampano are tight.
This also applies to Dominic Thiem, who will be heading to Montreal on Sunday. The starting position there is rather modest: the Lower Austrian has never won a match in Canada, in round two it is either against local hero Denis Shapovalov or Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The Frenchman is missing in the column of Thiem's favorite opponents.
Thomas Muster never won in Vienna
Thiem will deal with that on Wednesday at the earliest, for the moment the impressions of four games in front of sold-out stands in Kitzbühel are having an effect. Thiem will come back in 2020, that has long been certain, many viewers will do the same. A lot has started for Thiem in Kitzbühel - the first ATP match, the first final he lost to David Goffin in 2014 - and now a circle has closed.
The first home win, Thomas Muster had to work for a long time, by the way, it never worked for the Styrian in Vienna. Dominic Thiem can now arrive there with less pressure at the end of October, the family is sure to be in tow again. After all, the Wiener Stadthalle is also the place where Dominic Thiem's father Wolfgang had the first impression that his son can play with the really big ones: 2013 against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Who knows - maybe there will be another round story in Vienna.