Dominic Thiem is satisfied with the offseason he has had as his big goal for 2023 is to return to his old level and be a strong force on the Tour once again. Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, was out for 10 months before returning from a wrist injury in late March.
Thiem lost his first seven matches after returning but improved his level as the season progressed. Thiem, who was ranked as low as No 352 at some point during the 2022 season, reached three ATP semifinals in the second part of the year and climbed to No 102 in the world.
Going into the 2023 Australian Open, Thiem feels fit and he is hoping to do well at Melbourne Park even though he is not really considered among the top favorites for the title.
Thiem to The National: I want to again be able to beat anybody
“I told myself I have to put a little bit of pressure on myself again, to start winning matches again, and it worked out well.
From 300 in the rankings to 100 in just three or four months, which was very good. The direction was definitely right. Still, I was not playing at my top level again and this I wanted to switch around in the off-season. I really have the feeling I’m on a good way and at the same time the expectations are rising for the New Year.
Still it’s going to be really difficult since I’m not seeded and I can face anybody at the beginning of any tournament. But I’m fit, I’m happy to compete and I’m looking forward to starting. My goal is to be on the way again, to achieve this, to be able to beat anybody, to go far in every tournament and I hope during 2023 this will happen again,” Thiem told The National.
In 2020, Thiem fell just short of winning the Australian Open as he fell short to Novak Djokovic in a five-set final at Melbourne Park. It remains to be seen if Thiem can start his 2023 season with a strong Australian Open run.
