Dominic Thiem on US Open 2020: "Going far would be worth less"
Dominic Thiem wants to compete at the US Open - in contrast to other top players - if the entry and exit regulations allow. In view of the last form shown, he would be the top favorite after Novak Djokovic.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Aug 09, 2020, 12:22 pm
"No spectators, just a very, very small team, otherwise only in the hotel. It will be a very, completely new experience for all of us," said Thiem in an interview with derstandard.at , looking ahead to the somewhat different US Open 2020. The plan there provides that the players live and play in a created "bubble", commuting exclusively between the hotel and the complex. And that with a limited escort.
The big ambiguity, however: How should things go after the US Open, where the Generali Open will take place in Kitzbühel in week two? And after Madrid's cancellation a week later, the Masters tournament in Rome, followed by the French Open?
"It has still not been confirmed in writing that the players are allowed to enter Rome without quarantine," said Thiem's manager Herwig Straka, the Ministry of Health would still refuse. For Straka this is incomprehensible, because: "In truth, the players in America are never in the country. They are in the hotel and on the course. And they have a test every second or third day."
Otherwise Thiem just stays at home
Thiem, however, is relaxed about the matter. After his exhibition marathon, he first went on vacation, then trained again. And if the start is delayed, "there is still a little time to stay at home". If everything goes well, Thiem would of course also take the Western and Southern Open with him from August 22nd, i.e. the Cincinnati Masters, which this year is to take place in the week before the US Open at the Flushing Meadows facility - keyword " Bubble ".
He is aware that the world number three will be one of the top favorites not only because of his form strength, but also because of some rejections - such as that of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Especially since the withdrawal of further actors is to be feared. "You have to be honest, some of the top players will definitely cancel," said the 26-year-old. "That means that a possible way through this tournament would be worth less than normal than it was in Australia. Still, I'm looking forward to it."