Paul Annacone: Dominic Thiem has to find his drive
Paul Annacone, ex-trainer for Roger Federer and Pete Sampras , can understand the situation Dominic Thiem is in. And has advice on how the Austrian could get out of it.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Apr 26, 2021, 06:10 am
There are quite a few question marks that are currently associated with the name Dominic Thiem in the tennis circus. Early and overly clear end at the Australian Open Down Under, atypically listless appearance at the desert tournaments in Doha and Dubai - and now a long break with very open announcements in interviews about the mental state of the world number four.
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Thiem fell into a hole after the dream of the Grand Slam title had become a reality at the US Open, but would still have to struggle with the difficult situation around COVID-19 - and has now also torn up a lot of training deficit. Anything but optimal preparation for the most important time of the season, which should end with the declared season goal, the French Open.
Thiem before "what now?" - decision
Meanwhile, Paul Annacone, the former coach of Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, fully understands the difficult phase of the Lichtenwörther: "When you get to this level where he is, you say: 'What now?' Roger and Pete both talked to me a lot about the difference between reaching and staying at this level, " the American told the Tennis Channel.
Now it is up to Thiem to ask this question: "'Hey, where do I go from here, what do I do and what gives me the joy of it? Is it the striving or is it the achievement?'" Annacone explained central questions in the current situation in Thiem. "Those are the things that Dominic Thiem has to recognize. I think everyone does it for a different reason," said the 58-year-old. "Thiem has to find out what it is for him that keeps him going."
Sampras with similar problems
Pete Sampras felt the same way when he first triumphed at the US Open in New York City: "" He won it and it took a few years to get used to saying: 'Okay, that's what I do 'because after winning he went through a whole process of' why am I playing, what do I want to do? '"
A process that definitely takes time and a process that has to be embarked upon. But then a return to the old strength is anything but impossible - also and especially not with Thiem: "It took a while for him to feel comfortable, so I wonder if that is also part of the bill for Thiem at the moment . " Dominic Thiem will return to the ATP tour in Madrid.