Main field at Australian Open: Dominic Thiem has to tremble
Even though the season is coming to an end, the Australian Open 2024 is still looming. For Dominic Thiem, direct qualification for the main field could be tight.
by Daniel Hofmann
last edit: Nov 27, 2023, 10:51 am
Dominic Thiem is ranked 98th in the world this week. 104 players will move straight into the main draw of the 2024 Australia Open. On December 4th is the registration deadline for participation. For many players, the position in the ATP ranking at the beginning of the coming week will decide whether they will participate directly or take the detour to qualify.
So it's hardly surprising that some players have packed their tennis bag again this week and are taking part in one of the last Challenger tournaments of the year in order to collect valuable points for direct qualification. With Yosuke Watanuki (plays in Yokkaichi), Tomas Barrios Vera (Temuco), Fabio Fognini (Maia), Hugo Dellien (Temuco) and Jurij Rodionov (Yokkaichi), there are five players active this week who can still overtake Dominic Thiem in the world rankings . However, they would sometimes have to go very far, if not win the tournament.
Thiem could slip out through protected rankings
It could be more interesting for the former US Open winner to take a look at the protected rankings that many players use to participate. Most recently, there were an average of five players at the Grand Slams who advanced directly into the main draw through a protected ranking after an injury. A similar number can also be expected at the major start of the new year. Rafael Nadal would also use such a protected ranking to take part Down Under.
What is certain is that no more than six players are allowed to pass Dominic Thiem. Then participation in the main draw at the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne is guaranteed. Alternatively, a wildcard as the last straw would enable participation in the main draw. Otherwise the only thing left is the tough process of qualifying.
#VIDEO#