“It’s Not Easy”: Dominic Thiem Opens up on Mental Aspects of US Open 2020 Bubble

The US Open 2020 organizers have worked round the clock over the past couple of months to create a safe environment for the players with the bio-secure bubble.

However, the US Open 2020 was dealt a major blow on Sunday as Frenchman Benoit Paire tested positive for Coronavirus. That sent a wave of unrest among many others at the venue.

However, Dominic Thiem still termed the US Open bubble as, ‘The safest place in the world’.

Dominic Thiem reiterates confidence in US Open facilities

He stressed on the need to be careful. He said that despite the facilities being so safe, a situation like Paire’s still arose. “I think there’s no safer place in the world right now than here. Maybe you can lock yourself somewhere in a cave or something I don’t know in the middle of the sea,” Dominic Thiem said on the eve of the US Open.

“Otherwise it’s super safe here. We’re in a bubble. Still, something can happen as you could see with Benoit,” the second seed added.

Challenges of dealing with a loss

Thiem suffered a shocking loss during his comeback match on the ATP Tour. He lost 6-2, 6-1 to Filip Krajinovic at the Western and Southern Open earlier this week. While such a loss is always tough to digest, Thiem had another challenge this time around to take his mind off it and focus on the US Open.

Both events are taking place at the same venue. The players are not allowed to leave the bubble until the US Open ends. In such a scenario, Thiem was stuck in the same place and could not deal with the loss the way he likes to.

“Normally if you lose you’re always super pissed & disappointed. Normally you hop on the plane & go to a different place. Easier to forget,” Thiem said.

“Here you’re stuck in the same place for a very long time. So it’s not easy to forget the loss, to get your mind on different things,” he added.

Thiem is a top contender at the US Open 2020 and a genuine threat to Novak Djokovic’s chances. The world number three will kick his campaign into gear on Tuesday against Spain’s Jaume Munar.