Dominic Thiem - in top form for the home tournament
Dominic Thiem is bursting with self-confidence after his strong Asian swing - and he wants to prove it at his home tournament in Vienna.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 15, 2019, 07:54 am
Dominic Thiem showed by far his best performances in Asia and was able to regain his confidence in the last three events of the year in Vienna, Paris and London by winning the tournament in Beijing and reaching the quarter-finals in Shanghai. Especially at his home tournament, the Austrians want to show great.
"This is one of the biggest highlights for me every year," said the 26-year-old after the "two super weeks" in Asia. So far, Thiem has not been able to fully convince in Vienna, as the best results are the two quarter-finals from the years 2013 and 2018 to book.
This season, however, the signs are still slightly different than in previous years. "I'm glad I'm playing well at the moment, it's the first time in a long time that I'm in good form in the Vienna Tournament, so I want to continue my good form and hope that it continues in the key," so the world ranking fifth.
Great competition for Thiem
However, the competition in the Austrian capital will definitely make things difficult for Thiem. With Daniil Medvedev, the Shanghai champion and probably the strongest player in Vienna will open in Vienna. Kei Nishikori, Karen Khachanov and Nick Kyrgios will also be among the participants in the ATP 500 tournament.
In addition, another absolute superstar in conversation: Andy Murray. The Scot has shown excellent tennis again in recent weeks and is considered a hot candidate for a wildcard. The only "problem": The three-time Grand Slam winner will be soon father. "In principle, he would like to play," hopes tournament director Herwig Straka but still on a commitment of the former world number one.
Whether with or without Murray - Dominic Thiem is once again facing major challenges in the Wiener Stadthalle. But the Lichtwörther dares everything after his first home win in early August in Kitzbühel in Vienna: "It would be great if I could get the double."