Thiem withdraws from ATP Cup but still hopes to play Australian Open

December 20, 2021

Australian Open, Dominic Thiem, Tennis News, Tennis Tournaments

Dominic Thiem withdraws from ATP Cup but still hopes to play Australian Open

Dominic Thiem has withdrawn from the ATP Cup after catching a cold in Abu Dhabi and feels he will “not be in the physical condition required.”

2020 US Open winner Thiem was scheduled to play Andy Murray in the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Exhibition, but decided to withdraw from the event as he revealed he did not feel “ready to compete at the highest level.”

Dan Evans replaced Thiem, but was beaten by three-time Grand Slam champion Murray. Murray also went on to beat Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, before losing to World number five Andrey Rublev in the final.

Thiem was also set to represent Austria in the ATP Cup, but has said he will miss both the ATP Cup and the Sydney international after catching a cold when in Abu Dhabi.

He also relieved concerns over the possibility that it could be Covid-19 when he revealed he tested negative.

The Austrian announced the news via a Twitter statement. In the post, Thiem said “after speaking to my team, we have decided to return to Austria, instead of flying directly to Australia.

“Unfortunately, I caught a cold (and tested negative for Covid-19) while in Dubai and was unable to practice last week. I will therefore not be in the physical condition required to be able to play the ATP Cup and Sydney ATP 250.

“After not competing for the past six months, I can’t take the risk of coming back too soon and picking up a further injury.

“Overall, the time I spent in Dubai was great as I’ve increased the intensity and level of my practice and my wrist is almost at 100.

“My aim is still to play the Australian Open but we will make a final decision about my participation by the end of December.”