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Austria’s Dominic Thiem reacts after his match against Australia’s Alex de Minaur during the men’s singles match at the Kooyong Classic tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 10, 2023. (Photo by William WEST/AFP)
Former finalist Dominic Thiem said on Tuesday that he is fit and ready to make an impact at the Australian Open, despite starting his preparations with a defeat at the Kooyong Classic.
The 2020 finalist at Melbourne Park, who is 99 in the world on his return from a wrist injury, showed flashes of his best in a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Australian Alex de Minaur in Kooyong.
Thiem, 29, won the US Open in 2020, but injured his right wrist in mid-2021 and was sidelined for eight months.
“Good body, last year was a good step in the right direction,” said the Austrian, who pushed Novak Djokovic to five sets in the 2020 Australian Open final.
“Hopefully we can continue in that direction this year, hopefully the Open is off to a good start.”
The former world number three has shown encouraging signs on his return to the tour, rising from outside the top 350 to break into the top 100 this week after last year’s semi-finals in Gstaad, Gijon and Antwerp.
The rapid rise in rankings means he just missed out on qualifying for the main round of the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on Monday.
But he was given a wildcard entry and after twice fighting back from a breakdown against De Minaur, remains optimistic about his chances.
“I’m ready to enter the Grand Slam but I don’t know how good I am now,” he said.
“It is very difficult to enter the Slam, all the players are at a high level. But I have a good preparation, so I have to be ready – we will see.
He added that the injury was “an interesting experience, probably every top athlete will face at least one major injury during his career”.
“My wild card is a great honor and also a great possibility (to do well). If I have a chance to do some damage, we will see if I can do it,” he said.
“I’m glad I left the wound behind, you’re feeling good.”
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