Tennis star Dominic Thiem has lifted the lid on the abdomen challenge that ruined his US Open goals earlier this yr and admitted his issues could have been brought on by spicy meals. Thiem is a earlier US Open champion having defeated Alexander Zverev within the 2020 last however solely reached the second spherical of the match this yr.
Thiem began his 2023 US Open marketing campaign by overcoming Alexander Bublik in straight units within the first spherical. He had the higher hand within the early levels of his second spherical showdown with Ben Shelton earlier than shedding a primary set tiebreak. The 30-year-old was then pressured to retire after the primary recreation of the second set and simply 67 minutes into the match due a abdomen challenge.
And forward of this week’s Vienna Open, Thiem defined: “It was a protracted story with my abdomen. After the US Open, I could not do something for 2 weeks earlier than I might begin coaching once more.
“However now I am superb once more. All I do know is that it wasn’t micro organism. Possibly I obtained some dangerous water or meals someplace. I like spicy meals – possibly I had an excessive amount of of it.”
Thiem was destined to achieve the very high of the sport simply half a decade in the past as he progressed to 2 French Open finals and the Australian Open last forward of his triumph at Flushing Meadows. He rose to world No 3 in early 2020 however has struggled for type since coming back from a severe wrist damage, which halted his enjoying exercise in mid-2021 and noticed him miss three Grand Slams on the bounce.
He had subsequently been dumped out of each Grand Slam within the first spherical earlier than going one step higher in New York. And the Austrian, who has fallen on the planet rankings to No 99, shall be trying to discover his type in his homeland this week as he takes on two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas within the first spherical.
“He is the favorite for positive, but when I convey my efficiency to the courtroom, I am positive I will have possibilities,” Thiem added. “The final duels had been all very shut and had been solely determined within the tiebreak of the final set. Particularly indoors, usually only some factors resolve.
“Within the first years right here, which may have inhibited me a bit of. Now it is not like that, particularly since I used to be in a position to win the match in 2019. I am trying ahead to that optimistic power, which is extremely useful for me.”
