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For Dominic Thiem it’s Sunday (no earlier than 3pm live and exclusively on Sky Sport Austria – With the SkyX Dream Pass you can be there live for only 10 euros per month) in the ATP Finals right at the start of the tournament in the repeat of the previous year’s final. Thiem wants to show his best tennis right away against Stefanos Tsitsipas, but with the US Open title behind them, Lower Austria has gained even more confidence on the hard court.
“The results from late 2019 to today have been better on hard court and most of my game fits better than clay.“Explained Thiem, who had also triumphed in Beijing and Vienna in the same year since the Masters 1000 triumph at Indian Wells 2019. Then came the final of the ATP Finals a year ago and last January the final narrowly lost in 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 racket and string. I have been using the racket for three or four years, and I have been playing with the string for a long time.Thiem described in the run-up to his first London assignment. Thanks to the development of a new tennis string from its manufacturer Babolat, it fits “now perfect there too“.
Big Thiem WINNING GAME – Original bat and jersey to win
Thiem also revealed that he no longer changes his tension at all, regardless of the altitude he plays at. “I always want to play the same. If I string stronger and then I don’t play the first balls in the ‘half court’, then I go crazy.“
Corona precautions in London are very strict
For the last time this year, Thiem and the other tennis stars 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 have not yet seen anyone who is not a tennis player in the hotel. Everything is very, very strict and almost like New York. We can only sit at the table in pairs or in groups of four if there is five meters of space between them.“He reported the world’s number three. Hope that changes soon.”I wish life was very hard after this week. But you don’t know.“
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 great mentally and physically, I could probably fly to Australia immediately after this week.Thiem believes. 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 recharge my batteries as much as possible after this tournament.“
So it could be as early as December 14 for Australia, in the next quarantine and “bubble”. In any case, Thiem will do his preseason preparation “down under”.
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Image: Getty
