Any time Dominic Thiem steps on court docket on the Erste Financial institution Open, the house crowd raises the quantity contained in the Wiener Stadthalle. That raucous ambiance could hit new highs on Tuesday in Vienna, nevertheless, when the Austrian favorite takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas in a blockbuster first-round conflict on the ATP 500.
“There are some sports activities the place you play house video games each second week and everyone’s telling you in regards to the benefits, about how a lot better you play at house,” Thiem informed ATPTour.com on Sunday in Vienna. “And it’s like that, however as a tennis participant, as an Austrian particularly, you solely have it two or thrice a 12 months. I at all times find it irresistible. The gang provides me unbelievable vitality.”
A conflict between two former World No. 3s can be a much-anticipated opening spherical irrespective of when or the place it takes place. The 2 Lexus ATP Head2Head conferences between Thiem and Tsitsipas which have taken place this 12 months add an additional dimension to their Vienna conflict.
The 17-time tour-level champion Thiem, working laborious to rediscover his mojo in opposition to the world’s finest after a critical wrist harm he suffered in mid-2021, pushed Tsitsipas to deciding-set tie-breaks in Madrid and at Wimbledon this 12 months. On every event it was the Greek who in the end prevailed, and Thiem is aware of the margins might effectively be high quality as soon as once more on Tuesday night in Vienna.
“I assume the one factor which I am fascinated with is that after we’re each enjoying effectively, the chances are excessive that we’ve one other very shut and tight match,” stated Thiem, who’s 5-5 general in his rivalry with Tsitsipas. “I hope so as a result of that might imply that we’re enjoying effectively or that I am enjoying effectively. It will imply an important match for the gang as effectively.
“We had two matches this 12 months, and twice it ended up being a deciding tie-break, in addition to on the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals, which was on the same floor as effectively, and indoors. Once more, it was a deciding tie-break. It will be nice, clearly, if it might be one other match like this, however with a unique consequence.”
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In contrast to in Madrid and at Wimbledon, nevertheless, Thiem could have a secret weapon to assist him recover from the road on Tuesday in opposition to Tsitsipas. He doesn’t must look again far to recollect the ability of the Vienna crowd, which roared him to a exceptional first-round triumph after he saved two match factors in opposition to Tommy Paul a 12 months in the past. Having missed the 2021 version of the event as a part of his nine-month absence due his wrist harm, that second nonetheless stands out for the Austrian.
“That was a reminder of what I am enjoying for and what I am working laborious for,” stated Thiem. “Not solely [during my] comeback, but when I look again at particular matches in my complete profession, this one is up there, 100 per cent.
“Truthfully, I used to be the more severe participant the entire match, however with this wonderful assist from the gang and with nice luck and nice preventing spirit, I used to be in some way in a position to win it and that was particular. That is why it is going to at all times be up there someplace once I look again on particular matches.”
This 12 months, Thiem arrived in Vienna with a 17-21 tour-level report for the season, a tally which features a championship-match run on the solely different Austrian ATP Tour occasion in Kitzbühel, and three different ATP 250 quarter-final appearances. At present at No. 99 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Thiem’s comparatively average 12 months has not dampened his want to push for a return to the higher echelons of the sport. For him, it isn’t a query of regaining his earlier degree, however having the ability to produce it usually sufficient.
“I had some constructive weeks, like Kitzbühel, and a few nice matches as effectively, for instance in opposition to Stef at Wimbledon or the US Open, the place I performed effectively,” recalled Thiem. “So there have been some good weeks and a few good matches, however I used to be not in a position to do it usually sufficient and that is why my rating is the place it’s. It is not satisfying for me, and I’ve to play effectively, extra persistently, to stand up once more. That is the purpose for the final three weeks and clearly additionally for the subsequent 12 months.
“For me it’s fairly clear [I’m lacking] consistency, as a result of I had some good weeks. If I’d have been in a position to repeat them extra usually, then my rating can be means greater, however I used to be not. I assume that is that is the important thing level. That is what I used to be in a position to do earlier than the harm, once I was very excessive within the rankings, and that is the purpose, to get that again.”
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