ATP: Thiem: Sand specialist and autumn depression

The Austrian Dominic Thiem experienced some ups and downs in 2017. With a sensational clay court season he secured his personal career high in the world ranking. We take a look back at the year of the 24-year-old.

Dominic Thiem’s tennis year could not have ended more differently than it started. The 24-year-old will reach his new career high next Monday, finishing fourth in the world rankings. Only buddy Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are still standing in front of him. Nevertheless, the Lichtenwörther, who suffered three first-round defeats in the past five tournaments and had failed twice in the second round, is in crisis. The late autumn trip to Asia was a total nuisance. But where does this world ranking position come from? Quite simply: Thiem played an outstanding clay court season and was the second best player on the Red Ash after “Sandplatz King” Nadal.

After a subdued start into 2017, the Austrian made it to the eighth-finals of the Australian Open, where he was defeated by David Goffin. The first and only title of the season was to follow in February: In Rio de Janeiro, he cleared Diego Schwartzman, Albert Ramos-Vinolas and won the final at Zuckerhut over Pablo Carreno-Busta. The Masters in the “Sunshine Double” didn’t go very well and so after a quarter-final defeat in Indian Wells it went on to a second round bankruptcy in Miami.

Thiems has heralded the best career phase so far in the clay court season and the 24-year-old mutated into a permanent semi-final guest. With the finals in Barcelona and at the Masters in Madrid, Thiem played captivating tennis with enormous power and a tremendous wit. In the two finals, however, he had to admit defeat to Rafael Nadal and went on to a semi-final at the Masters in Rome. In “Foro Italico” he failed because of Novak Djokovic. The “Dominator” was more than ready for the big gig in Paris and confirmed its form.

He even turned out to be the title favorite next to Nadal in Roland Garros. Thiem rushed into the semi-finals without losing a set. In the previous round, he dismantled the “Djoker” and even gave the Serbian a bagel in set three. In the Habfinale there was another duel with “Rafa”, in which Thiem could not match his performance from the previous matches and presented himself somewhat tired and exhausted. Nadal sent his Austrian opponent home with 3:6,4:6 and 0:6.

The grass court season went off without success for Thiem. The 24-year-old’s best result was his last 16 in Wimbledon against Tomas Berdych. Thiem’s playing style is largely responsible for the fact that he can’t cope with such a fast ground. With a big swing and a position rather far behind the baseline Thiem is always falling behind against fast opponents. His enormous topspin doesn’t benefit him on grass either.

The low point of the season followed after the US Open against Juan Martín del Potro in the last sixteen.

Thiem celebrated a small success at the first edition of the Laver Cup in Prague, when he was at the side of Federer and Co. celebrated the title for Team Europa against Team Welt.

The messed-up Asian tour was topped by the second round defeat at his home tournament in Vienna. Thiem did not spill his fame on the occasion of his recent appearance at the Masters in Paris-Bércy. After a narrow three-movement win over Peter Gojowczyk, Thiem was completely disillusioned against Fernando Verdasco and delivered a diffuse show.

With his second qualifying round for the ATP World Tour Finals in a row, Thiem gets the chance to give his season a worthy and successful ending. However, his performance in London has to improve a lot so that he won’t be left out against the top stars. At least a few days of rest were granted to him before the trip to the O2-Arena.

It is also positive that the Austrian will not have to defend too many points in the coming year. Except for the clay court season, Thiem has the chance to hold his position in the world rankings with better results. On the Red Ash, however, it says: Return to your old strength and defend points.