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via Reuters

via Reuters

The Australian Open 2021 has begun and Dominic Thiem got off to a great start at the Grand Slam. In his first round, the World No.3 player defeated Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets.

Although the first set went to a tie-breaker, Thiem didn’t face any sort of difficulty in the remaining two sets, winning 7-6, 6-2, 6-3.

In the post-match interview, Dominic Thiem talked about something serious. He admitted that as the courts were faster this year, it proved to be a disadvantage for him.

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He believes that he is the kind of player who loves to take his time but the courts in Australia this year are not letting this happen.

“I like to have time, so the fast court takes it away a little bit for me, so that’s not perfect,” said Thiem in the interview.

via Reuters

It is not only Thiem but many other players like Ashleigh Barty who have had similar experiences in Australia this year. Even though there are difficulties, Thiem feels that he will have to adapt to the conditions.

“But I have to get used to it anyway,” added the US Open 2020 winner.

READ MORE – What is so special about Dominic Thiem’s racket?

“One of the faster tournaments I’ve played in recent years”- Dominic Thiem

The Austrian player also accepted that it was one of the faster tournaments that he had played in recent years. However, he highlighted that this is a part of the sport.

via Reuters

“Still, I have the feeling that it’s one of the faster tournaments I’ve played in recent years, but it’s like that. That’s tennis,” concluded the World No.3 player.

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Thiem will certainly look to adapt himself as soon as possible on the fast courts. He is a strong contender for the Australian Open 2021 title and will surely not want to give it away due to the nature of the courts.

Thiem will play Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in the second round of the Australian Open 2021. Fans have huge expectations from him and want him to achieve what he failed to accomplish last year in Australia.

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Will Thiem be able to win his second Grand Slam title in Melbourne this year?

READ MORE – Dominic Thiem Reveals Australian Open 2021 Courts Are ‘Very Fast and a Bit More Slippery’