Constant corona tests on the one hand, games without an audience on the other, and everything else in the tennis year 2020 was different than before. The normal processes: abolished. Even those that are more likely to be saved under "mandatory dates" for the tennis professionals - and which some are now obviously missing. Like Dominic Thiem. "You couldn't go to the respective city in the evening, there was no change, you hardly had any photo and media appointments. I missed press conferences. After defeats you couldn't go home straight away," the Lichtenwörther explained to standard.at in the run-up to the ATP Finals . "I was alone with my tennis - and still am."

The most obvious thing for the tennis viewer in front of the home screen is of course the ghost backdrop, spectators were either not allowed at all or only to a limited extent in 2020, applause only came from the (also limited) support team or from the tape. Which seemed strange, especially after important or spectacular rallies. There was also no additional boost from the audience, should the forces wane.

For Thiem a learning process, the result of which he can definitely see something positive. "Now all your strength has to come from within yourself. I succeeded in doing that, I got to know new, positive aspects of myself."

Thiem: US Open title was "the absolute liberation"

Which may have helped him in New York, in the final against Alexander Zverev, when Thiem, plagued by cramps , could barely walk at the end of the fifth set. Under normal circumstances a case for the crazy New York audience, despite the rather mixed level. But Thiem pulled out, got his long-awaited title with a major . And becomes philosophical: "Although I was locked up, it was absolute liberation. Without this title, my career would have remained incomplete." Since then he has been able to set new goals, "everything is somehow easier."

One goal, for sure: the title at the ATP Finals. Last year Thiem and Tsitsipas set off fireworks, played one of the most spectacular matches of the season - with the better end for the Greek. This year, Thiem is once again one of the biggest contenders for the unofficial world champion title. His mission begins on Sunday noon, at 3 p.m. CET: Then Thiem plays the opening singles - of all things against Tsitsipas ( live in the tennisnet live ticker ).