Passion there, but:

Thiem: “It’s slowly entering the home straight”

Dominic Thiem

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"You have to have a lot of passion. I've had that my whole career, it's been many years. But yes, now it's probably slowly heading towards the home straight and that's why I'm trying to keep the courage and passion as high as possible." Dominic spoke openly about his future after his bitter defeat in the first round of qualifying for Monte Carlo.

The 30-year-old from Lower Austria confirmed that this season could be his last if his form and ranking do not change significantly for the better. The fact that his wrist is currently causing problems again does not make tennis fans optimistic about the future.

"Not a good match"
"It wasn't a good performance, not a good match. It didn't really matter who was on the other side," said Thiem after the 1:6, 2:6 defeat to Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. "It's a bit up and down at the moment, both in terms of my game and physically from the wrist. Sometimes it's better, then a bit worse. I look from week to week. Estoril was really okay: two matches that were okay, today was a weak performance."

The 2020 US Open winner spoke of a "rollercoaster ride". "That's how it is at the moment, I have to accept that. I have to make the best of the situation." He now wants to prepare well for his next tournament in Munich and hopes that he will play better again there. The ATP250 event starts on April 15, Thiem has a wild card.

Last year?
When asked, Thiem revealed how difficult it is to get back on court after so many defeats and setbacks this year. "You have to have a lot of passion. I've had that my whole career, it's been many years. But yes, now it's probably slowly heading towards the home straight and that's why I'm trying to keep the courage and passion as high as possible."

He leaves no doubt that he will call it a day after this year if he doesn't reach the top 50. "I've talked about it enough. If I don't achieve my goals, then this will probably be my last year. I'm not going to change my mind, let's see what happens at the end of the year."

(Bild: APA/AFP/WILLIAM WEST)

He will not change anything about his current coaching team. "The team is good as it is now. I've also tried out a lot. The team suits me now and will stay that way for now."

Thiem certainly doesn't need the ongoing problems with his right wrist. "There's an inflammation in there, I'm sure it's from the injury back then. It tore twice back then. Unfortunately, that caused a lot of damage to the wrist. Unfortunately, it's just not the way it used to be. It's bitter, but I have to accept it."

If I don't achieve my goals, then this will probably be my last year.

Dominic Thiem

Hoping for Roland Garros
Even if Thiem only wants to look from week to week, he assured that he wants to compete at Roland Garros, where he has reached the semi-finals four times and the final twice. "Of course I hope to play Roland Garros." If necessary, even in qualifying, he assured. And this could well be in store for him, as the former world number three will soon fall out of the top 100 again.