Wolfgang Thiem - "I do not understand the criticism of Alexander Zverev"
Dominic Thiem prepares since Wednesday in London for the ATP Finals. Father Wolfgang Thiem, who sees the season finale in the tennisnet interview very positively, is also present.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 07, 2019, 03:11 pm
tennisnet : Mr. Thiem. After a busy week in Vienna, your son was still fighting for the second round in Paris-Bercy. Then the tank seemed empty. How is Dominic at the moment?
Wolfgang Thiem : Dominic has recovered well again. The match against Raonic in Paris was physically not as exhausting, but mentally a huge challenge. That was very, very good of Dominic, that he won this game. Maybe Dimitrov was a bit exhausted. But against Grigor you have to play top, so you can win. After Paris, Dominic took a break for three or four days. I think he can now, that he regenerates and recharges the batteries.
tennisnet : What is the immediate preparation for the start on Sunday?
Thiem : He has been back in training since Monday. Has been training up to Wednesday increased fitness, little tennis. This has been increasing since yesterday. And today we have been training with Alexander Zverev, the partners for the next days are not fixed yet.
tennisnet : What do you think of the group Dominic was in?
Thiem : For me, that's the stronger group, no question. Basically Dominic plays against Roger Federer but really like, has a 2: 0 balance in 2019. This will be a very interesting prelude match. I think he has his chances there. Novak Djokovic showed in Paris that he is also the big favorite for this tournament.
tennisnet : Does your son have the advantage over Matteo Berrettini that the Italian celebrates his premiere here?
Thiem : For Dominic, when he was here for the first time, he was already flashed by the whole story. Whereby Dominic is basically someone who does not get his top performance until the second time. That was also the case in Roland Garros, where he played his second semi-final and then his second final much better. If Berrettini is impressed from the backdrop, then the routine of the Dominic of course helps. Berrettini is a player who is naturally always dangerous with his serve and forehand.
tennisnet : There simply is not enough in London anyway ...
Thiem : Of course not. Here are the eight players who scored the most points over the year. All of them are in good shape. Tsitsipas played well in Paris, before the final in Basel. Alexander Zverev is in good shape again. Despite all the criticisms, he is now at the Masters. Zverev has played a good season. I do not understand the criticism of him.
tennisnet : Who else is in London besides you?
Thiem : My wife Karin and Moritz are from the family. Of course Nico Massu and Alex Stober and also the fitness coach Duglas Cordero. And also Lucas Leitner, who helps out until the arrival of Herwig Straka on Saturday in the team.