Dominic Thiem’s recent video message sparked concerns among his followers, but the Austrian star has clarified that he is not retiring. Instead, he is facing a setback in his recovery from a right wrist injury.
Thiem skipped the Sunshine Double to participate in ATP Challenger events on clay, but his wrist issues resurfaced. He explained that he and his father had reverted to their old training methods, which aggravated the injury.
“We started to practice like I did when I was younger with a lot of intensity, a lot of strokes, a lot of hours on the court. Unfortunately, a little bit before the Challenger in Hungary, my wrist started to make some issues again,” Thiem said.
Despite the setback, Thiem remains optimistic about returning to ATP Tour action next week. He plans to compete in the Estoril Open, which begins on April 24th.
“Right now the situation is I’ve turned down the volume a little bit. Chances are good I can make it to Estoril,” he said. “That’s the plan as well. I want to start playing there again, which is my goal.”
Thiem’s wrist injury has been a persistent problem since 2021. He has struggled to regain his previous form, which saw him reach the Top 3 and win the 2020 US Open.
The Austrian is currently ranked No. 90 and has lost his first two tour-level matches of the year. He is hoping to use the Estoril Open as a platform to rebuild his confidence and return to his former heights.
