World No.4 Dominic Thiem has had a rough start to the 2021 season. His win-loss record is at a paltry 5-4 after suffering early exits from the Australian Open and Dubai Tennis championships. But with his favored clay court season starting, he will now need regrouping.
Thiem recently announced his withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters. Furthermore, he won’t be defending his title in Barcelona as well. In the ATP calendar, Monte Carlo Masters begins on the 11th of April, followed by Barcelona Open. Thus, it is confirmed that Thiem won’t be seen playing until 19th April.
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“After Doha and Dubai I had to take a break, I’m not 100 percent ready yet. I’m sorry, I would have liked to have played Monte Carlo, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work out,” said Thiem.
(Quotes have been translated via Google)
Dominic Thiem and his clay-court schedule before French Open 2021
Updating on Thiem‘s schedule, his manager Herwig Straka confirmed Thiem will join World No.1 Novak Djokovic in the Serbia Open in Belgrade. That tournament begins on 19th April after Barcelona Open concludes. Until then Dominic Thiem is practicing heavily on the clay court.
Followed by Serbia Open, Thiem will play the double-header ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, Madrid Open, and Italian Open.
“As things stand now, Domi will start the clay-court season in Belgrade. This will be followed by the Masters tournaments in Madrid and Rome as well as the French Open,” said Straka. (quotes have been translated)
Straka also clarified that Thiem isn’t injured. It was earlier presumed that Thiem is below his fitness levels and is injured, which ultimately contributed to his bad showing in Doha and Dubai.
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“No, Domi is not injured. He just wants to give himself more time to prepare. The situation with the lockdown in France is difficult and in Monte He also never played Carlo very well. “
Thiem is currently practicing on the clay courts of Better Tennis Center in Traiskirchen, Austria. Thiem’s manager and Thiem himself have specified that he needs a little time with himself to regain his old form.
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Will Thiem come back with a bang when he returns on clay?
Read More: “He Will Always Try and Share Energy”: Dominic Thiem Receives Ultimate Praise From Andrey Rublev