The lingering results of a 2021 wrist harm restricted Dominic Thiem’s means to generate energy final yr however the former world quantity three stated he can depend on his massive weapons once more after making a robust begin on the Monte Carlo Masters.
Thiem broke the Grand Slam stranglehold of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic by successful the 2020 U.S. Open however the harm sidelined him for months and different niggles noticed him slip down the rankings to quantity 352 final June.
After a first-round exit on the Australian Open in January, and disappointing performances within the tournaments that adopted, Thiem made the quarter-finals of the Estoril Open and beat Richard Gasquet 6-1 6-4 in his opener in Monaco.
“Some constructive indicators occurred already in Estoril and at present (Monday), I had the sensation that I used to be doing once in a while good harm with each forehand and backhand,” stated Thiem, who subsequent performs Holger Rune.
“The facility wasn’t there final yr even once I began to win matches and performed higher. Within the inside season the ability wasn’t there but. Additionally possibly not at first of the yr.
“Within the final month it is coming again, particularly in apply. The photographs are there, the ability is there like earlier than, however I used to be utilizing it mistaken. There’s full belief once more within the wrist and the forehand.”
A return to high type on clay could be an encouraging signal for the world quantity 106 forward of the French Open, the place he reached the ultimate in 2018 and 2019 earlier than dropping to Nadal on each events.
After saying on the weekend he had cut up with coach Nicolas Massu, Thiem has joined up with Benjamin Ebrahimzadeh and hopes the partnership will bear fruit.
“There wasn’t plenty of time,” Thiem stated. “I wanted a coach immediately so we determined to start out the connection and provides it a strive.”