Thiem switches focus of injury comeback efforts

Dominic Thiem is vowing to shake up the focus of his long-running wrist injury comeback efforts, with the former US Open winner working to have more fun on court.

The Austrian won the Open in 2020 when it was played under COVID pandemic conditions without spectators. But he later suffered a wrist injury in June, 2021 and has been struggling ever since after missing months of play.

The No. 96 who lost in the Australian Open first round and dropped two Davis Cup matches this month, said he will no longer work like an automaton on the practice court.

 “I try to get away from the idea of being a machine. No more practicing for hours without thinking about anything,” he told Austria’s Der Standard.

“I try to enjoy more of the good things. To me that means good shots or good points. But it’s not easy.”  

Thiem said that fixing his mental attitude is a one-man job:

“”It only depends on me. I could take Federer as a mental coach, but I am convinced that he would not help me.”

He added: “In Melbourne, after the final, I saw how energetic Novak Djokovic was. It is a difficult phase when you are successful.

“It’s not very fun. I always had trouble savoring victories.” 

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

3 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

3 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago