French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem has insisted that he is fully fit after being forced to withdraw from the Wimbledon Championships.
The Austrian No.1 retired during his first round match against Marcos Baghdatis due to a back injury. Making it the first time Thiem has quit a grand slam since the 2016 US Open. He said afterwards that he regretted not giving himself enough of a break after the clay court season and admitted that playing in Halle prior to Wimbledon ‘was a big mistake.’
Despite the injury blip, Thiem is on course to return to action next week at the German Open. An ATP 500 event that is held in Hamburg. Leading up to the tournament, he participated in an exhibition match on Monday evening. Taking on Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Austrian city of Wörschach. After the clash, the 24-year-old gave an update on his current fitness.
“I did an MRI before my holiday because of the back and the results were very reassuring, it was just a bit of a sprain or something,” Thiem told reporters.
“From tomorrow (Tuesday) and until Sunday I will train fully and then travel to Hamburg,” he added.
Known for his packed schedule on the tour, Thiem admits that his extended holiday has been a blessing in disguise. The week after Hamburg he is set to play in his home tournament in Kitzbühel before travelling to North American to begin his hard-court season.
“The holiday was extremely important, everyone needs a bit of time off and now I can go to the second half of the season in a more relaxed mood.” He said.
It is in Kitzbuhel where Thiem is seeking a milestone in his career. He is yet to win an ATP title in his home country. The closest he got was back in 2014 when he lost in the final of the tournament. That occasion was also the first time he had reached a tour final at the age of 20.
“The final against Goffin back then was a great match, but of course it hurts that I do not have the tournament win there yet.” He explained.
“I definitely want to get that in my career. And I think that the chance this year is quite good, because I play Hamburg, because I’m fit, because I’ll have a good preparation for the clay.”
Thiem is set to be the top seed in next week’s German Open and is the only top-10 player taking part.
Note: quotes via spox.com and laola1.at.
