Thiem on the Vienna title: “There is no ‘mission impossible'” – Sport Nachrichten magazine

Like other opening matches at the Erste Bank Open tennis tournament, Dominic Thiem’s ​​name has final potential. Former top ten Kei Nishikori was not only at the 2018 final in Vienna, but also at the 2014 US Open, for example. Thiem sees his conqueror at that moment, Marin Cilic, as dangerous as Nishikori. “He’s definitely one of the best players of the last decade, a player like that is dangerous every day,” Thiem said before Tuesday’s game.

Cilic recently had Thiem under control twice, both in the third round of the US Open and at the start of the French Open. The world number three has a 2: 3 balance against Nishikori: his victories come from the French Open and the ATP Finals in 2018. In the middle was the sensitive 3: 6.1: 6 defeat in the Vienna quarterfinals, which is another attempt at The Audience Favorite ended with a Vienna title. The coup was successful the following year.

Nishikori, on the other hand, is currently ranked 36th in the world rankings. Only competing on clay this year, the 30-year-old missed the “Cincinnati” event in New York and the US Open after a positive corona test. His last hard court event so far was the 2019 US Open, after which an elbow injury knocked him out of action. Of his four tournaments played in 2020, the Asian only won one match in Rome and the French Open.

Thiem is not fooled by this. “These players are always dangerous because they were in the top ten for years,” Thiem said. “These players can always play in great shape from week to week.” But he himself is also ready. “The battery is quite charged, I have not done anything in a long time either. After the last few weeks I have needed time to relax and reflect,” said the local hero, recalling his passage through the “bubbles” of the Grand Slams in New York and Paris.

He is known for not always starting a tournament well. “But that will be necessary. I also did it last year.” At that point, Thiem achieved a two-sentence opening win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA), probably also in the category of Cilic and Nishikori. In any case, Thiem will see that he is at 100 per cent of the starting blocks. “The most important thing is that I have been there from the beginning. I want to play my best again, to play for the title again.”

He doesn’t think Nishikori can surprise him. It is also not necessary to study the opponent much on video. “I know how he plays tough. The point is not to destroy him too much, but to fully focus on myself and act very, very well.” Thiem has been back in training for a week and a half, the time to look back is over. “It’s time for me to set new goals. The home tournament is perfect for that.”

Of course, the memories of last year’s win are still there. “The most emotional title of my career. A childhood dream has come true. Starting as the defending champion is always special. But this year is unreal with strong field. It is not a ‘Mission Impossible’, but almost.

Thiem has been inspecting the center court since Saturday, also on Sunday with Serbian Novak Djokovic. “I would say medium pace, neither too fast nor too slow. Everything is ready for super tennis,” he reported. Never mind that this time there are clearly fewer prizes at stake. That’s even a Corona advantage, so to speak. “It will be some time before it gets back up. If things stabilize in the healthy environment, it would be good for everyone involved.” Thiem meant the recent rapid increases in prize money in tennis, but also in soccer and some American sports. “It’s hard to imagine that it will go on forever.”