2023-08-04 19:07:00
Even though Dominic Thiem slipped into mediocrity, not least because of his severe wrist injury in June 2021, the former US Open champion and third in the world rankings is still able to mobilize the masses.
This becomes particularly clear at the home tournaments in Vienna and Kitzbühel, where the 29-year-old from Lichtenwörther is the ticket seller par excellence. Today Thiem played at the Generali Open in the Gamsstadt in front of almost 6000 enthusiastic fans once morest the Serb Laslo Djere for his first entry into a final since the ATP Finals in November 2020. With success.
“One of the best three set games”
It was an incredible fight spanning 3:30 hours at the highest level. Thiem never gave up his service and fought his way through this magical night in an almost epic manner. The 17-time ATP triumphant fended off five match points and ultimately won in a convincing manner 6: 7 (3), 7: 5, 7: 6 (8).
“I don’t know if I can still say anything sensible. It was one of the best three-set games I’ve ever played in my life,” said Thiem. “Thank you! It was an incredible atmosphere. I hope you go celebrate today. See you tomorrow. It’s my first final since my injury, that’s special – and here at that.”
Thiem is determined to advance to higher spheres once more. The existing “package” with the experienced coach Benjamin Ebrahimzadeh and mental coach Andreas Marlovits seems to be promising, the love affair with Kitzbühel is also reflected in appealing results. Thiem will move back into the top 100 from 116th place in the world rankings. He is currently 89th in the live ranking.
The claim is of course much higher: “I don’t want to see myself down there in the rankings,” he says: “I know how hard it is to get back up.” It takes hard work, consistency, self-confidence and positive body language, which Marlovits apparently instilled in him.
Image: APA/EXPA/JOHANN GRODER
“I have no complaints”
Thiem lives out his emotions on the court to the fullest, the sparkle in his eyes stands for pure determination. “It’s important for me to have won a few rounds in a row. But I mustn’t get too euphoric. I’ve had a few initial sparks this year – in Madrid and Wimbledon once morest Tsitsipas or in Gstaad. The difference in Kitzbühel is that I got through tricky phases – also with the help of the audience,” explained Thiem, who feels physically in shape.
Four matches within four days (the first ended at 11:28 p.m.) are not a problem for him. “I have no complaints, everything is fine,” assured the Lower Austrian, who following the Kitzbühel week – like Sebastian Ofner, by the way – followed North America will pull. Both are contesting the hard-court tournament in Winston-Salem (August 20-26) in preparation for the US Open in New York (August 28-September 10).
By the way, the first Kitzbühel individual finalist comes from Argentina: Sebastian Baez (No. 72) beat his favorite compatriot Tomas Martin Etcheverry following 2:44 hours 7:6 (3), 3:6, 6:4. The final will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. (Servus TV). Thiem seems ready for his second Kitzbühel coup since 2019.
Author
Alexander Zambarloukos
Sports Editor
Alexander Zambarloukos
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