“Have Been in That Position”: Stefanos Tsitsipas Opens Up on Dominic Thiem’s Career Slump

Published 05/02/2021, 11:26 PM EDT

Stefanos Tsitsipas has shared his thoughts on his Austrian rival Dominic Thiem’s apparent loss of desire and motivation for titles after lifting his maiden Grand Slam championship trophy at last year’s US Open. Since that glory run, Thiem went through a lean spell where he recorded a series of underwhelming performances.

Barring a runners-up finish at last year’s ATP Finals in London, the Austrian experienced an extended title drought starting with his fourth-round exit at the Australian Open and followed by early exits in Doha and Dubai. Sensing a career slump, Thiem withdrew himself from the Tour and returned to his homeland for rest and rejuvenation. He will make a competitive return in Madrid, putting an end to a seven-week hiatus.

Stefanos Tsitsipas says he will set new goals if he wins his first Grand Slam title

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On whether he fears a similar emptiness or loss of appetite for titles should he lift his maiden Grand Slam title at this year’s French Open, Tsitsipas said that he would set new goals for himself should he take a Major leap this year.

He added that Thiem remains one his sources of inspiration to end his title drought in Grand Slams.

“What he has achieved is one of my sources of inspiration. I think if I were to win a Grand Slam title I would try to explore something new, look for more opportunities, and I think Dominic is capable of that too,” the World No. 5 said.

(Quotes have been translated)

Tsitsipas says injury is to blame for Dominic Thiem’s career slump

Tsitsipas said that Thiem’s injury niggles are majorly to blame for his slump, adding that he has been through a similar phase and knows how it feels.

The Austrian had also been grappling with a knee problem, which has been attributed to a condition he has had since birth.

“I think his injury has been added to that. I have been in that position and it’s not the best feeling in the world, when you’re injured and wanting to compete but your body says no,” Tsitsipas said.

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He added that he was hopeful of playing Thiem many more times and preferably in a Grand Slam final. “I’m sure we will meet many more times, and hopefully in the Grand Slam finals, which will be good for the sport,” Tsitsipas said.

Thiem holds a 5-3 lead over the Greek in eight head-to-head clashes.

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Priyabrata Chowdhury is a tennis author for EssentiallySports. He has been a print journalist for a decade, producing news pages for leading national dailies such as the Hindustan Times and The New Indian Express. His passion for sports eventually drove him to tennis writing.

“Have Been in That Position”: Stefanos Tsitsipas Opens Up on Dominic Thiem’s Career Slump

Stefanos Tsitsipas says he will set new goals if he wins his first Grand Slam title

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Tsitsipas says injury is to blame for Dominic Thiem’s career slump