Austria’s Dominic Thiem is taking part in his second ATP Finals after also qualifying for the event in 2016. He earned a 1-2 record last year by defeating Gael Monfils, but losing to Milos Raonic and Novak Djokovic. Thiem is the only survivor from last year’s Group Ivan Lendl, with Monfils, Djokovic, and Raonic all suffering injury-hit campaigns in 2017.
Thiem reflecting on last year’s debut: “There was a lot of pressure on me last year. It was something completely new for me.
Despite his claims of no tiredness this year, Thiem’s record in the latter stages of the season have been poor. Thiem has failed to win back-to-back matches at the highest level since the US Open. Letting slip a two-set lead in the US Open Round of 16 to Juan Martin del Potro has seen the Austrian’s form fall drastically. Defeats to the likes of Steve Johnson, Gudio Pella, Viktor Troicki, Fernando Verdasco, and Richard Gasquet are at odds with a terrific first half to the season.
Thiem won the Rio 500 title, and also reached the finals in Barcelona and Madrid, thwarted by World No.1 Rafael Nadal both times. Nadal was also the thorn in Thiem’s side at the French Open, dispatching the younger man in a straight sets semi-final.
Thiem also made some comments about his group opponents. About Dimitrov: “He had a great season. You have to have a great one to qualify here. He deserves it 100% to be here. I’m looking forward to open the tournament here against him. It will be a fun one on Monday.”
Speaking about Nadal: “I’m looking forward to play him not on clay. It’s nicer for everyone to play him not on clay. It’s going to be not the same so I can’t take too much from the matches in the spring.”
Thiem is the second highest ranked man in Nadal, behind the World No.1. Thiem starts against Grigor Dimitrov on Monday.
