‘Every win is special now’ describes Dominic Thiem on renewed perspective

Dominic Thiem has opened up on his comeback struggles following his first tour wins in more than a year, including how his mindset has shifted as a result. 

The former world number three claimed victory in the first round of Bastad, Sweden for a first tour level win in 14 months, before backing it up with a second win in the next round.

Thiem beat Emil Ruusuvuori and Roberto Bautista Agut, ranked 43rd and 20th respectively.

“That was very good and amazing for my confidence,” Thiem told the ATPTour.com. “It is way more fun to win some matches and build some momentum and confidence, and that is exactly what I am going to take forward.”

The 2020 US Open champion returned from a wrist injury in March, before losing seven matches in a row at Challenger and tour level, including at the French Open, until a first win at a Salzburg Challenger in early July.

Whilst the feeling of losing every match was mentally taxing for Thiem, it did allow him to adjust his perspective to life on the tour.

“I feel now a bit like I did at the beginning of my career, where every win was something very special,” Thiem explained. “I reached the quarter-finals in Bastad at an ATP 250 and it feels huge to me.

“When you are used to going deep, a match win is not as special anymore. But that is not the way it should be. The level is so high, all the players are playing so well, so every match win should be special and that is how I am feeling again now.”

After Bastad, Thiem moved on to Gstaad in Switzerland, claiming another win in the first round over French youngster Hugo Gaston 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 (9-7).

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