ATP Finals: Thiem and the new love for hard courts



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“The results from late 2019 to today have been better on hard court, and most of my game fits better than on clay,” explained Thiem, who has also been in Beijing since the Masters 1000 triumph in Indian Wells. 2019 in the same year. and Vienna had triumphed. Then came the ATP final a year ago and last January the narrowly lost final at the Australian Open. And finally the triumph at Flushing Meadows. “Now I feel almost the same on both surfaces,” Thiem confirmed.

One of the many reasons for the increase is probably the configuration that has now been found. “It took me a long time to find the perfect racquet and the perfect string. The racket has been good for me for three or four years, and I’ve been playing with the string for a long time, “Thiem said before his first appearance in London. Thanks to the development of a new string by its manufacturer Babolat,” now too it fits perfectly ”.

Dominic Thiem

APA / Getty Images / Al Bello

At the latest with the US Open title, Thiem had enough self-confidence on hard court

Thiem also said that now regardless of the altitude you’re playing at, the tension doesn’t change at all anymore. “I always want to play the same. If I string stronger and then I don’t play the first balls in the ‘half court’, I go crazy “.

For the last time in the “bubble”

For the last time this year, Thiem and the other players are in the “bubble”. This time they reside in a hotel right next to the O2 stadium. Actually a five minute march but players can’t even walk through this. “I’ve never seen a person who is not a tennis player in the hotel,” said the world’s number three.

“It’s all very, very strict and almost like New York. We are only allowed to sit at the table two by two or four if there is five meters of space between them ”. Thiem hopes this will change soon. “Hopefully life has been very difficult after this week. But you don’t know. “

Thiem ready for the ATP finals in London

The ATP World Tour Finals will take place in London on Sunday. For Dominic Thiem, there will be clashes with Stefanos Tsitsipas, Rafael Nadal and Andrej Rublew in the group stage.

Fresh as rarely at this time

Thiem, who used to be an absolutely frequent player on tour, is feeling fresh due to the coronavirus breakout. “This year has many faces. Last year after this tournament I really needed a vacation, I had to relax, it was urgent. This year I feel very good mentally and physically, I could probably fly to Australia after this week, ”said Thiem.

However, this “bubble” life with a pure focus on the hotel and tennis facilities also took its toll. “That tires you too. I will try to charge the batteries as well as possible after this tournament ”. So it could be as early as December 14 to Australia, to the next quarantine and “bubble”. In any case, Thiem will be preparing for the “Down Under” season.

ATP World Tour Finals in London

(Great Britain, $ 5.7 million, indoor court, hard court)

Group “London 2020”

Table:
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP / 2) 0 -: – 0
. Dominic Thiem (NOR / 3) 0 -: – 0
. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE / 5) 0 -: – 0
. Andrej Rublew (RUS / 7) 0 -: – 0
Game schedule:
Dominic Thiem (NOR / 3) Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE / 5) Sunday, 3 pm
Rafael Nadal (ESP / 2) Andrej Rublew (RUS / 7) Sunday, 9 pm

Group “Tokyo 1970”

Table:
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB / 1) 0 -: – 0
. Daniil Medwedew (RUS / 4) 0 -: – 0
. Alexander Zverev (GER / 6) 0 -: – 0
. Diego Schwartzman (ARG / 8) 0 -: – 0
Game schedule:
Novak Djokovic (SRB / 1) Diego Schwartzman (ARG / 8) Monday, 3 pm
Daniil Medwedew (RUS / 4) Alexander Zverev (GER / 6) Monday, 9 pm

Group “Bob Bryan”

Table:
1. Mate Pavic / Bruno Soares (CRO / BRA / 1) 0 -: – 0
. Marcel Granollers / Horacio Zeballos (ESP / ARG / 4) 0 -: – 0
. John Peers / Michael Venus (AUS / NZL / 6) 0 -: – 0
. Jurgen Melzer / Edouard Roger-Vasselin (AUT / FRA / 8) 0 -: – 0
Game schedule:
Marcel Granollers / Horacio Zeballos (ESP / ARG / 4) John Peers / Michael Venus (AUS / NZL / 6) Monday, 1 pm
Mate Pavic / Bruno Soares (CRO / BRA / 1) Jurgen Melzer / Edouard Roger-Vasselin (AUT / FRA / 8) Monday, 7 pm

Gruppe “Mike Bryan”

Table:
1. Rajeev Ram / Joe Salisbury (United States / GBR / 2) 0 -: – 0
. Kevin Krawietz / Andreas Mies (GER / 3) 0 -: – 0
. Wesley Koolhof / Nikola Mektic (NED / CRO / 5) 0 -: – 0
. Lukasz Kubot / Marcelo Melo (POL / BRA / 7) 0 -: – 0
Game schedule:
Kevin Krawietz / Andreas Mies (GER / 3) Wesley Koolhof / Nikola Mektic (NED / CRO / 5) Sunday, 1 pm
Rajeev Ram / Joe Salisbury (United States / GBR / 2) Lukasz Kubot / Marcelo Melo (POL / BRA / 7) Sunday, 7 pm

Top two in semi-finals, all time at CET

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