ATP: Dominic Thiem also to start 2019 in Doha

As in the previous season, Dominic Thiem will enter the tournament business in Doha in 2019. The competition at the ATP Tour 250 tournament is considerable.

Dominic Thiem leaves his hammock these days probably only for the food intake and for the case by case walk into the pool, optionally also into the sea. The Austrian number one has reconciled the tennis year 2018 with the success against Kei Nishikori at the ATP Finals in London, the world ranking shows Thiem as eight best of his guild.

After the vacation on the Maldives Thiem will go to the training camp in Tenerife, as usual with great national and international participation. In addition to domestic hopes such as Dennis Novak and Sebastian Ofner, players such as Philipp Kohlschreiber and David Goffin are also expected at the practice sessions.

Thiem starts the 2019 season in the old year – just as he did a year ago, the 25-year-old will play at the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Doha. In 2018 Thiem had reached the semi-finals, but had to retire due to illness before meeting the later tournament winner Gael Monfils.

The competition for the next edition in Doha, however, is considerable: first and foremost with world number one Novak Djokovic. But Karen Khachanov, who beat both Thiem and Djokovic in Paris-Bercy, will also serve in Qatar. Kohlschreiber and Goffin can take the Lichtenwörther from Tenerife to Doha, Nicolas Jarry, against whom Thiem will compete in the Davis Cup in Salzburg, has also given his name.

Not yet a permanent fixture in the main field, but the first “Alternate” to be recorded is a three-time Grand Slam champion: Stan Wawrinka, who after a rather disappointing comeback season wants to really attack again.