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The Austrian men’s tennis team had to finish the ATP Cup in Melbourne yesterday without any success after the group stage. After 1: 2 against Italy on Tuesday, it was only enough to win against France, namely Dominic Thiem with a 6-1 win over Benoit Paire. Dennis Novak against Nicolas Mahut and Philipp Oswald / Tristan-Samuel Weissborn lost in doubles against Mahut / Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Now he’s going straight to the Australian Open.
Last year’s finalist Thiem will meet Kazakh Michail Kukuschkin in the first round next week. The 33-year-old from Nur-Sultan is in 90th place in the world rankings, there has not yet been a duel with Austria’s best man on the ATP circuit.
And that’s not the only reason the 27-year-old, who still doesn’t appear to be in top form, is careful with predictions. “From experience, I always need a bit before I enter a tournament,” says Thiem. Conditions in Melbourne are also different this year than last year. “The positions are super fast. Faster than last year. Now I have two days to adapt.” His friend and sparring partner Dennis Novak has to deal with France’s Adrian Mannarino, world number 32.
Serena Williams injured
Female superstar Serena Williams, on the other hand, has to worry about participating in the first big tournament of the year. The 39-year-old American had to surrender at the WTA preparatory tournament in Melbourne before the semi-finals. Unable to compete with a right shoulder injury, the WTA players’ organization said. The 23 Grand Slam winner had previously won her quarterfinals against compatriot Danielle Collins 6: 2, 4: 6, 10: 6. Ashleigh Barty (Aus) reached the final without a fight.
The appearance at the Yarra Valley Classic was Williams’ first tournament since she resigned due to Achilles tendon problems at the French Open in late September 2020. Williams participates in the first round against Germany’s Laura Siegemund. She wanted to return to Melbourne for her 24th major singles title and thereby set the Australian Margaret Court record.
American legend Trabert dies
Tony Trabert, the American tennis star of the 1950s, has died at the age of 90. Trabert won five Grand Slam titles, three of them in 1955. Along with Don Budge, Rod Laver, Mats Wilander, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, he is a player who has won three major tournaments at least once in a year. calendar. .
