After his injury

Thiem honest: “I have now stopped …”

Dominic Thiem no longer wants to dwell too much on his previous performances.(Bild: APA/AFP/WILLIAM WEST)

Dominic Thiem spoke openly about his ongoing difficulties on the sidelines of the tournament in Estoril. He is no longer the same player he was before his serious injury. However, he has now stopped making such comparisons and is concentrating on the present. In Portugal, he was able to celebrate an important victory for morale.

"There are a lot of differences, but I've stopped comparing myself to the player I was before. It's pointless and I'm trying to make the best of the current situation," said Thiem on the sidelines of the ATP tournament in Portugal. 

After his serious injury, he was no longer able to return to his previous performances. The ease had been completely lost: "It's a completely different galaxy. There are many different things. I had a bit more strength, more self-confidence. I simply played better tennis. My game was more fluid," said the Austrian.

An important victory
The former US Open winner is now ranked 91st in the world and has had a difficult start to the year. Wrist problems had slowed him down, but these have now been overcome. "I've trained a little less hard in recent weeks," explained Thiem.

In the first round, he defeated Maximilian Marterer from Germany in three sets. An important victory for morale. Now Frenchman Richard Gasquet awaits. "I'm ready, we'll see what happens," says Thiem ahead of the duel.