Dominic Thiem with positive words for Naomi Osaka - break as an opportunity
Dominic Thiem , in his guest role as commentator expert on the Tennis Channel, commented on Naomi Osaka's announcement that the Japanese would take a break for an indefinite period.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 07, 2021, 09:02 am
It was a season full of excitement that no one could use as little as the lady who was considered the media hype: Naomi Osaka. After the Japanese announced that she wanted to forego the mandatory press appointments at the French Open, the outcry was appropriately large. This became much bigger when the four-time Grand Slam winner pulled out of the major on Bois de Bolougne days later and cleared her mind with her psychological problems.
Thiem knows problems
Another retreat followed - at the Grand Slam at Wimbledon - and a mediocre performance at the home Olympic Games in Tokyo. With a ton of pressure on the shoulders of the young world athlete. Well, after another bitter end at the last Grand Slam of the year, the Japanese had announced that she would take a break from tennis. The situation she is currently in is simply far removed from what Osaka would call a comfort zone.
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Problems that Dominic Thiem has also been well aware of since this year. The Austrian took the first non-injury-related break in his career after nothing wanted to come together since the knockout round at the Australian Open. Now the Lower Austrian is suffering from a hand injury that earned the 28-year-old at least the honor of a guest commentator role on the Tennis Channel.
Break as a chance for Osaka
There, the US Open winner from 2020 also commented on the announcements from Osaka. "It is absolutely her right to do that. The most important thing, not just for her but for all players, is to be happy on the court. If you are not, you will not be able to perform at your best. She no longer has to prove anything to anyone. she has won four Grand Slam tournaments, which is breathtaking, " explained the Austrian.
Rather, Thiem sees the Japanese girl's break as an opportunity to return to the tour in her old strength: "Maybe she needs this break from the court, life as a professional athlete is demanding and you have to be happy to cope with it. If you are not "You need some time off to come back stronger. I'm pretty sure she can do it, too."