Dominic Thiem will be allowed to return to the tennis court next week in what he describes as ‘incredible news’ following changes being made to his country’s lockdown policy.
The Austrian government has confirmed that certain sports will resume again from May 1st as long as they abide by the social distancing policy. Where a person has to maintain a distance of at least two meters from another. The announcement comes roughly four weeks after the country closed restaurants, bars, theatres, schools, non-essential shops and other gathering places to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“This is incredible news. I can’t wait to get back on the court. Until then I will keep fit as before,” Thiem told Sky Sport.
Whilst the world No.3 is set to resume his training, he will have to wait a bit longer to return to the ATP Tour. All professional tournaments have been suspended until July due to the Pandemic. Although there are concerns that the Tour suspension could be extended further. There are also doubts about if the US Open will be able to go ahead as planned with the USTA expected to make a final decision in June.
Due to different countries having their own policies to deal with COVID-19, some professional athletes could be in a better situation that others when it comes to maintaining their fitness. Unlike Austria, Great Britain announced on Thursday that their lockdown would be extended for at least another three weeks. During that time all sports facilities will be closed. Despite those differences, Thiem believes it will not have a massive impact on tennis.
“The tour won’t start again anytime soon. Nobody can endure training for so long. We’ve all played so much tennis in our careers that a month of preparation will be enough to get back in shape.” He said.
Whenever Professional tennis gets going again, the 26-year-old has stated that he is raring to go. Thiem started 2020 by winning nine out of 13 matches played. At the Australian Open he reached the final for the first time in his career before falling to Novak Djokovic in five sets. In March he cracked the ATP top three to become only the ninth player outside of the Big Three to do so since May 2009.
“I’ll be glad if the tour starts again. I don’t mind what surface it’s on. It’s unlikely that the US hardcourt swing will be played, maybe the clay season will be moved there,” Thiem said.
“I could only plan properly when the tour will resume. I miss tennis, I’m looking forward to play intensely again. But I won’t start a full training program until there is a realistic schedule. In any case, I will definitely start practising on clay.” He added.
According to Reuters News Agency, there has been more than 14,000 cases and 400 deaths in Austria related to COVID-19.
