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Dominic Thiem decided to return to Austria instead of flying directly to Australia
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Dominic Thiem will decide by the end of December whether or not to play at the Australian Open after withdrawing from upcoming ATP Cup and ATP 250 Sydney events due to injury.
The Austrian has not played since he injured his wrist at the Mallorca Open in June. He was unable to defend his title at the US Open this year and also withdrew from the World Tennis Championship exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.
Thiem, 28, said his goal was to play Melbourne Park in the first major tournament of the year, adding that his wrist was “almost 100%”.
“After talking to my team, we decided to go back to Austria instead of flying directly to Australia,” Thiem wrote on Twitter. “Unfortunately, I caught a cold (and tested negative for COVID-19) in Dubai and was unable to train last week.
“So I will not be in the physical condition required to be able to play the ATP Cup and the ATP 250 in Sydney. After six months of not competing, I can’t take the risk of coming back too early and getting injured again. . “
He continued, “Overall my time in Dubai was great as I increased the intensity and level of training. We will make a final decision on my participation by the end of December. “
The ATP Cup begins on January 1, while the Sydney ATP 250 tournament begins the following week.
The Australian Open kicks off on January 17th when Novak Djokovic will defend his title in men’s singles.
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Jennifer Brady withdrew from next month’s Grand Slam due to foot injury
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Separately, last year’s Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady withdrew from next month’s Grand Slam with a foot injury.
American Brady reached her first Grand Slam final in February when she lost to Naomi Osaka in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena.
Brady is the last top player to miss the Grand Slam, with world No.4 Karolina Pliskova, Grand Slam champions Serena Williams, Bianca Andreescu and Roger Federer also missing.
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