‘Absolutely not’ – Dominic Thiem asserts he never feared retirement during injury

Dominic Thiem was adamant that he would not retire due to injuries sustained in 2021, the 2020 US Open champion has revealed. 

The 28-year-old recently made his first ATP appearance since June last year at the Andalucia Open Challenger event in Marbella.

Thiem lost in the first round before testing positive for Covid, putting more obstacles in the way of a full return for the Austrian.

Despite the difficulties Thiem faced during his recovery from a wrist injury, fear of retirement never entered his mind.

He told ORF Sport when asked as much: “Absolutely not.

“The injury is severe and really hard, but on the other hand it is very well researched in the tennis world because it happens so often.

“Therefore, even when it happened the second time, the doctor immediately said that it will take a long time, it’s a very unpleasant injury.

“But every player he has had so far, [including] a lot of [men’s and women’s] number ones, have come back without any subsequent damage.

“From then on I was very positive that it will be the same for me.”

Having peaked at world number three in early 2020, Thiem is now ranked 50th in the world.

Moreover, his injuries have meant he has played just 19 competitive matches this season and last and just 32 matches since his 2020 Major triumph in New York.

As Thiem awaits a negative Covid test he hopes to compete at the Monte Carlo Masters beginning 10th April as he tries to find his feet over the course of the clay season.

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