“I have certainly torn a gap, that is also completely clear.” Dominic Thiem knows that after a seven-week break, he still lacks a lot for the absolute top players on the tennis tour. Alexander Zverev made this clear to him in the semifinals of the Masters 1000 clay court tournament in Madrid. The German won 6: 3, 6: 4 and thus returned the favor for the unfortunate loss of the 2020 US Open final. Zverev met Italian Matteo Berrettini at the showdown for the title in the Spanish capital when this edition went to press.
Thiem traveled confidently to Rome yesterday despite the defeat. “I hope that I play really well there,” said the 27-year-old Lichtenwörther, who will face Argentine Guido Pella or Hungarian Marton Fucsovics after a walk-through at the start.
Thiem’s record in the “Foro Italico” can be expanded. Austria’s athlete of the year 2020 is competing in the Eternal City for the sixth time, the highest of emotions so far was a semifinals in 2017, which he clearly lost to Novak Djokovic. After a short break, the Serb also named for the top-class event in Rome, where only Roger Federer is missing from the top 15 in the world.
The further tournament planning also depends on Thiem’s appearance and performance in Rome. A trip to Lyon before the French Open, which starts on May 30th, is up for debate despite the convincing performance in Madrid. “After Rome I will decide whether I need any more matches before Paris,” said the Lichtenwörther, who is quite satisfied with his development.
“There were little problems everywhere. I played really well in training, but if you play matches all the time, like last week, then the strokes get a little worse again. It’s always like that,” explained the 1 , 85-meter man: “Now it’s time to perfect your own game again. Physically I’m fine. I have no pain in my knees, the blisters on my hands have got better and better. I hope I’ll be back next week can play without tape, “said Thiem.
Rafael Nadal ticked off his surprisingly clear quarter-final defeat against Zverev in Madrid relatively quickly. Even in the hour of disappointment, the “King of the Clay Court” showed greatness and gave the green light for an encounter with the 93-year-old Spaniard Manuela, for whom a dream came true. “I’m such a big fan of Rafa. It means a lot to me to have met him,” she said.
–
