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‘True Challenge’: Dominic Thiem Opens Up on Austria’s Tough Path at ATP Cup 2021

Published 02/01/2021, 9:30 AM EST

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Dominic Thiem has been sensational over the past few years. The Austrian has truly elevated his game and looks to be improving with each passing year. As he gears up for a brand new season, Thiem released an enlightening newsletter about his first few weeks in Melbourne. 

Dominic Thiem has completed his quarantine and is relieved about the freedom that he was given. The Austrian took an enjoyable trip to the sea and quickly got back to his routine; playing competitive tennis. 

Dominic Thiem reflects on the astounding game against Rafael Nadal

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Tennis fans are awaiting the Australian Open spectacle to begin. However, we got a glimpse of the action when Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem faced each other in an exhibition game at Adelaide. 

The event was called ‘A Day at the Drive,’ and it welcomed 5000 gleeful spectators to watch the athletes take on each other. The one-off event was held at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre in Adelaide and saw a total of eight players taking part.

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“I had some special moments during the exhibition game with Rafael Nadal. We had 5,000 spectators in the stands, it was a tennis festival the way we had not had it in a year,” Thiem mentioned

Thiem and Nadal’s match stole the show at the event, and the latter cruised to a straight-set victory over the 2020 US Open champion. 

“After the night session the night was a short one, because we had to move on to Melbourne, we arrived at the Australian “tennis-Mekka“ at two in the morning,” added Thiem. 

Thiem is excited to start his campaign at ATP Cup 2021

A new season has dawned, and the ATP Cup 2021 is the first big event on the tennis calendar. The tournament will be nothing short of breathtaking, even though only 12 countries are playing.  Thiem and Austria share their Group C spot with European neighbors, Italy and France.

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“On Tuesday Team Austria will start the ATP-Cup, the first match will be tough right away, facing Italy with top-10 player Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini,” Thiem said of the schedule. 

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“This will be a true challenge to start the new season, but Dennis Novak and I have been working really hard for the last two weeks, we have made sure to complete our program. Now we are hungry for our first matches,” the Austrian added. 

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Guys like Dominic Thiem would indeed be hungry to go out and perform. The ATP Cup 2021 will warm him up for the bigger event that is the Australian Open 2021. After having reached the finals last year, can Dominic Thiem better his result and clinch the opening Grand Slam of the year?

“I am Not Too Happy”: Dominic Thiem on His ATP Cup 2021 Opener Against Matteo Berrettini

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Written by:

Arjun Athreya

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.
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