"Good for me in the desert" - Dominic Thiem reports from Dubai
Shortly before his opening match at the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai, Dominic Thiem spoke up.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Mar 16, 2021, 01:49 pm
Since Saturday he has been preparing for his second tournament in the desert, Thiem wrote on his homepage. The difference to Doha: "It's hotter in Dubai, and the courts are faster too."
In Doha, Thiem had lost to Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarter-finals, but was basically satisfied with his performance . Thiem has respect for his opponent Lloyd Harris, he has closely followed the South African's past success stories - reaching the third round at the Australian Open and winning over Stan Wawrinka in Doha. Thiem: "I have been warned - watch out!"
But the Lichtenwörther is self-confident: "My training units in the last few days have all worked, I also reeled off a few sets, played a lot of points. In principle, the desert is good for me. I was able to collect many new impressions." The hotels are also right next to the complex, and the weather is ideal. Doha and Dubai could therefore continue to play a good role in his tournament calendar in the future, "so they will definitely be a nice option for the South American tour in the future."
Thiem and Massu reunited
Above all, Thiem is happy that he can stay at the side of his coach again. Nicolas Massu had missed the trip to Australia due to his COVID-19 illness , and no one has seen each other since the ATP Finals in London last November, Thiem said. But it seems as if Massu has never been away: "The harmony was right on the pitch, he's really an important factor in my team."
Now it's about the right results, which Thiem still missed something in 2021. "Now we are working hard so that we can both celebrate successes together again soon."
You could follow the start in Dubai live: Thiem should play from around 5.30 p.m. , we have the match against Harris for you in the tennisnet live ticker !