US Open: Dominic Thiem with clear preferences for the Davis Cup in Graz

Dominic Thiem has shown himself in good spirits after his five-set victory against Steve Johnson. And also looked towards the Davis Cup.

By Jens Huiber from New York City

Dominic Thiem is not like Novak Djokovic. Chilling instead of ice bath, that was the motto in the ten-minute break between the third and fourth set of his match against Steve Johnson; 17th place does not offer many other possibilities either. Djokovic had been briefly in the barrel against Fucsovics, at least the Serb wanted this to be recorded for posterity.

Press conferences with Thiem in New York are a short, albeit humorous affair. He will strike Dennis Novak in the Austrian Davis Cup team, the Lichtenwörther said. With great laughter. For him, Novak was the second-best player of the year, in any case worthy of being drafted into the red-white-red squad. But Thiem was serious about that.

On the other hand: He himself has not yet received a call from team boss Stefan Koubek. However, the chances are good that Thiem has enough sporting references for a start in Graz.

Who else will go against the Australians in the vault, that is however open: I don’t think Alexander Peya’s available. Jürgen Melzer has temporarily taken over the place at the side of Nikola Mektic at the US Open, is also an option for Graz. Especially in doubles. A best-of-five individual on ashes, however, is less attractive to the injured routine.

Dominic Thiem doesn’t have to worry about that, he has Taylor Fritz in front of his chest for now. The 24-year-old had to fight hard against the American last year, a fifth set was within Fritz’ reach.

Should this year’s edition come to that, Thiem will have some comforting news: from Friday it will cool down considerably in New York. Finally. Because against Steve Johnson, Court 17 would have felt like a sauna.