For Dominic Thiem, one of his most important Grand Slam seasons begins on Monday (2nd match after 9 a.m. in the LIVE ticker >>>): The 30-year-old from Lower Austria played up to the Australian Open 2021 (round of 16) in the four tennis Majors often took part in the second week, appeared in four finals and won the US Open title in 2020.
At this point, Austria’s number one – Sebastian Ofner – intervenes in the tournament >>>
But since the French Open 2021, he has only survived a round in seven majors at the US Open (2023). We should be able to do that again against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
On the one hand because Thiem feels well prepared, on the other hand because the 23-year-old Canadian was not convincing at the start of the season. In his only individual appearance in Auckland, the world number 27 was defeated. after a bye to the German Daniel Altmaier with 6:7.5:7.
If Thiem wants to get much closer to old times, then he will probably have to do it this year. As the current number 94, Thiem still has much more potential, but the former third in the world rankings needs a boost in performance.
“Feel the tension rising and I’m ready”
Thiem, who has been preparing in Melbourne for some time after his Brisbane exit against Rafael Nadal, feels “good”. “I had a good preparation, trained well, no physical problems. Then I had a good first tournament in Brisbane too. Qualified, which was fine, then a match against Rafa, which was very interesting.”
Ten years after his major debut in Melbourne (2nd round) and four after his narrowly missed first Grand Slam title, Thiem is playing in the “Happy Slam” for the tenth time. In 2020 he was already leading 2-1 sets against Novak Djokovic in the final, but had to bow in five.
The famous tingling sensation before a season highlight has already begun for Thiem. “Two days before the start of the tournament I can already feel the tension rising and I’m ready.”
Thiem “physically in top condition”
Thiem will by no means underestimate Auger-Aliassime. “He has established himself at the absolute top of the world, especially in 2022, where he played incredibly towards the end of the year and also qualified for Turin. He had a bit of a more difficult season last year and saved it in the end with that Title in Basel.”
But the focus is entirely on himself. “I’m making sure I’m fully back and have done everything to make sure that’s the case.”
In any case, Kitzbühel tournament director Alexander Antonitsch has a lot of confidence in Thiem. “If it’s against someone seeded, then most likely against the Canadian. I hope it will be a real battle,” said the Carinthian about the draw. “From what I’ve heard, Domi is physically in top condition,” explained Antonitsch.
Big goal: Olympics in Paris
Should Thiem prevail and make it 2-0 in the head-to-head with the Canadian, then he would again have to deal with a French-speaking opponent. Both Alexandre Muller and qualifier Hugo Grenier come from France and are both a hurdle to overcome.
In round three, however, Thiem could meet number three seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev.
But Thiem isn’t thinking about that yet. However, in addition to the many usual highlights of the season, he also clearly has his sights set on the Olympics in Paris. “This year, of course, the big goal is the Olympic Games. Because I’ve never been there before, because they’re in Paris, because I want to be there and also want to play really well there.”
In addition to the majors and the March tournaments in the USA, Thiem also mentioned the clay court season. “That was and is always very important to me. And of course the tournaments in Austria too.” There was already a confirmation for Kitzbühel.
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2024-01-13 11:27:55
#Feel #tension #rising
