Tennis: Novak suffered a double torn ligament

On the ATP tour, Austria’s currently third-best player will be out longer, probably two months. “It depends on the healing process, but I think I might be able to play tournaments again in eight weeks,” Novak said on Thursday. The 29-year-old has already undergone the necessary surgery in Vienna. “The comeback starts now,” he wrote on Instagram.

Novak had worked his way up around 40 places to position 137 this year with a Challenger victory in Nonthaburi, Thailand, and wanted to move up over the next few weeks because he had no points to defend until April. At least he is not threatened with a major relapse in the ATP ranking for the time being.

Thiem also receives a wild card for Indian Wells

Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem can look forward to the next wildcard. The winner of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament four years ago has been given a place in the main draw for this year’s edition and his comeback in California from March 8th. The ex-US Open winner, who is still looking for his former form after his wrist injury, saves himself from qualifying. The 29-year-old is currently ranked 99th in the ATP world rankings as the best Austrian.

“Today I received the great news that I will receive a wildcard. This is incredible news for me because it’s a tournament that I love,” said Thiem in a video message, visibly pleased. “It will be the first time I play there since I won the tournament in 2019.”

Thiem had also received a “free ticket” for Buenos Aires, where he had already won the title twice. At the Davis Cup in Rijeka, the Lower Austrian said: “At some point the wildcards will also be over, and they are totally deserved.” In the eyes of the organizers, however, he apparently still deserved this special treatment.