Thiem, Federer, Nadal, Wawrinka and the long way back
The tennis year 2022 begins in a few days, and many fans are full of anticipation for the return of some athletes, some of whom were missing last year
by Armin Head
last edit: Dec 11, 2021, 07:48 pm
From an Austrian point of view, Dominic Thiem's start at the Australian Open is of course particularly watched by everyone. The man from Lichtenwörth, who says he had to struggle with motivation problems at the beginning of last year and then injured his wrist in Mallorca in June, will make his comeback in Abu Dhabi at the invitation tournament from December 16 to 18 ( live on ServusTV). But things will first get really interesting in Sydney at the ATP Cuo and then especially in Melbourne, where the current number 15 in the world will celebrate his return to the Grand Slam level. But we shouldn't expect any miracles from Thiem, half a year without real match practice will probably have left its mark.
It is similar with Rafael Nadal , who was out for a longer period due to a foot injury. However, the man from Spain has often proven that he does not need a long start-up time, and if he is 100 percent physically fit, he is likely to be able to do a lot again. Nadal also wants to undergo an initial test in Abu Dhabi.
What about the serial winners of the past?
With Roger Federer , the fans have to be patient for a long time, the man from Basel gave an injury update in mid-November and was very skeptical about a comeback at Wimbledon at the end of June. Hopefully we will be able to see the exceptional player for as long and as fit as possible in the hard court season in late summer.
Federer's compatriot, S tan Wawrinka , after all three times Grand Slam champion, has also been struggling for what feels like an eternity, more precisely since the beginning of March for a return to the ATP Tour. Having had an operation on his foot after the tournament in Doha, the Australian Open comes too early for him, too, because many fans will also miss him at the site of his first major triumph.
In any case, we look forward to every game that one of these four champions will take part in in the future.