It is only fools who do not change their mind. Dominic Thiem has appropriated the saying in his own way. Claiming to have “big goals” for next season on his official website, the Austrian took the opportunity to unveil his intention to line up for the next Olympic Games in Tokyo (July 23-August 8, 2021). There would be nothing remarkable about the decision – all the top players on the circuit should find their way around – if it did not constitute a turnaround. In 2019, the person had signed a contract with the Austrian tournament in Kitzbühel which committed him to take part in the next two editions (2019 and 2020), drawing a de facto fact from the Japanese Olympic tournament.
Thiem had at the time still declared that he still had time and that he would participate in those of Paris 2024. But the coronavirus has been there, upsetting the world sports calendar and leading to the postponement of one year of the Tokyo Games. No longer bound by any contractual obligation, the world number 3 has therefore returned to the question. If the place of the Olympic event in the career of a tennis player is much less important than that of a Grand Slam tournament, the current leaders of the circuit have paid it more attention.
And the Chilean coach of Thiem, Nicolas Massu, titled in singles and doubles (with Fernando Gonzalez) in Athens, played an important role in convincing his colt. “I can’t wait to fight for a medal. In 2004, my coach won two gold, he told me about the wonderful emotions he experienced. I want to feel them myself in turn. For an athlete, the atmosphere of the Games must be an experience, I want to fully immerse myself in it“, said the Austrian.
But for now, it’s time for vacation for Thiem who also expressed his need to disconnect at his home in Austria for ten days. He will then have plenty of time to prepare well for a 2021 season, the start of which is still uncertain.
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