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Dominic Thiem: ‘Madrid conditions are perfect for me, but expectations are low’


World No. 4 Dominic Thiem said the Madrid Open conditions are ‘perfect for his game’, but his expectations are low ahead of his return to the ATP tour.

The Austrian last played in Dubai over six weeks ago and admitted he needed to “recharge” and “reset” as a result of winning his first major title at the US Open last year.

The 27-year-old is a two-time finalist at the Madrid Masters – losing to Rafael Nadal in 2017 and Alexander Zverev in 2018.

“If I look on the previous years it (Madrid) was always a great tournament for me. Amazing results and with all the altitude and the conditions here – (it fits) perfectly for my game, no?,” Thiem told ATP Tennis TV.

“But, coming back since quite a long while without a match on the ATP tour. So, expectations are pretty low, but we’ll see.

“Now I’m back on a very good level, I guess. I was practising very good the last two weeks. As well, physically I’m back on a very good level.

“But the thing is, I am missing the matches, I am missing competing with the top guys who are all playing here at Masters 1000 level.

“And I’m not expecting of myself that I’m coming back straight away – win against anybody who I’m facing. So, that’s why I think it’s going to take a while.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.