Dominic Thiem is facing the end of the ATP Finals in London after a disappointing performance against Roger Federer. The Austrian wants to find his tennis again in training on Wednesday.
The red baron is just taking a break as far as his commentator activities in the German-speaking area are concerned. Boris Becker nevertheless summed up what many spectators in the full O2 Arena on Tuesday evening had in mind: What happened to Dominic Thiem?
Of course: The Austrian from Lower Austria had gone into the match with Federer as an outsider, also because the underlay at the season finale is more suited to the Swiss’s game than that of Thiems. The ATP even published a graphic a few days ago according to which the surface in London is even faster than the one in Shanghai. Whether this is true or not, the number of mishits was surprisingly high, not only in comparison between Federer and Thiem. But especially on the side of Lichtenwörther.
On Thursday, Dominic Thiem still has a minimal chance to qualify for the semi-finals. But only if he wins against Kei Nishikori and Roger Federer loses to Kevin Anderson in two sets at the same time. The probability that both things will happen, however, is not particularly high.
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Just as little as the prospect that the outfitter Thiem will provide a pair of trousers that do not seem to bother him every step of the way. On the other hand: “It’s the same trousers I played with at the US Open, it’s not because of that,” Thiem explained in the press conference after the match.
Thiem has suffered three serious defeats in his last three tournaments: in Vienna against Nishikori, in Paris-Bercy against the later tournament winner Karen Khachanov, and now in London against Roger Federer, who has by no means reached his highest level. But he served well enough to prevent a break point during the whole season. And when Rückschläger kept the ball in play long enough until Thiem gave him a helping hand.
34 mistakes in 67 minutes of play, only six points as a rebound – these are the numbers with which Thiem said goodbye on Tuesday. Not able to make the game with his own serve in such a way that he could put Federer under pressure or at least keep him busy longer. A Roger Federer, by the way, who seemed to be unfocused and agitated against Nishikori, and who also didn’t radiate any joy of playing in the training sessions with Borna Coric. It remains to be seen whether that will be enough on Thursday against a very well-disposed Kevin Anderson.
Exactly half of Thiem’s first serve was in the field, but only 56 percent of these points were won. Federer had a 30 points higher percentage under this heading. The good news for the Austrian’s fans: Thiem cannot and will not accept such an achievement. “The 25-year-old did not know why, either.
Thiem had made adjustments to his return position against Anderson in the second set, but there was nothing to notice against Federer. The plan to take the ball early didn’t work, too many returns ended up in the net or out. Two matches at the ATP Finals, two matches without a single breakpoint: Especially for Dominic Thiem’s return game good advice is now expensive.
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He will certainly train on Wednesday, says Thiem, in contrast to the Swiss, who will again treat himself to a completely free day. Sometimes it’s important to clear his head, for him, Thiem, but now it’s all about finding his tennis again. And that only works on the training ground.