2024-01-02 08:01:00
Anyone who is lucky enough not to have to go to the office today, has a Sky subscription and can also describe themselves as a tennis fan should make themselves comfortable on the sofa at 9.30 a.m. with coffee and a fitness cup and watch the TV box. l turn it up. A tennis treat is being served – the first round duel in Brisbane between Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem. Yes, you read that right: first round duel! While the two tennis giants had fought thrilling duels at the highest level up until three years ago, the conditions have long since shifted. Thiem is still fighting to keep up following his wrist injury and motivation problems suffered in June 2021 and first had to fight his way through qualification at the Brisbane River. Nadal was out of action for exactly a year following hip surgery and is winning tennis honors in the Australian city thanks to a wildcard.
No, you shouldn’t expect the very best tennis from this duel – it will probably be more of a match for nostalgics. With Nadal you don’t know where he stands. Even though Holger Rune recently confirmed that the Spaniard still has brutal punches following a training game. And Thiem? It remains to be seen whether the now 30-year-old will be able to return to the top once more. The start of the season turned out to be very bumpy. Against James McCabe (no, you don’t necessarily have to know the ATP number 272), the Lichtenwörther native was already 2:6, 3:5 and 0:40 behind before he was able to turn things around once more. In any case, the Lower Austrian is not lacking in fighting spirit…
Thiem cheered the last two times
Only number 98 in the world rankings, Thiem was happy just a few days ago to have slipped into the main competition of the Australian Open, which starts on January 14th. Nadal is only in position 672 in the computer, but this does not reflect the true playing strength of the 22-time Grand Slam winner. The two have met 15 times so far and the Austrian has prevailed six times. Just like in the last two duels so far – both in 2020, each on hard court: 7:6, 7:6, 4:6, 7:6 in the quarter-finals in Melbourne and 7:6, 7:6 at the ATP Finals in London . But Nadal pulled the Austrian’s tooth twice at the French Open finals (2018 and 2019). Memories of times that make every red-white-red tennis heart beat faster. Times that, however, are now a thing of the past.
For example, number one in Austria has been different since last year. Her name is Sebastian Ofner – and the Styrian will also be taking part in the tournament for the first time this season. Not in Brisbane, but in Hong Kong. There, the world number 43 will meet the tough American Mackenzie McDonald at the start at 7 a.m. But late risers need not worry – this game will not be broadcast on TV.
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