'Rafael Nadal is still the French Open favorite over Thiem if healthy'
In an exclusive interview with Tennis World USA, the Kitzbuhel Open Alex Antonitsch commented on the Dominic Thiem's chances in the French Open. Antonitsch knows Thiem very well as the 25-year-old competed in the Austrian event for several years and he will be back in 2019 and 2020. Thiem has been targeted as one of the top favourites after winning the Barcelona Open where he defeated Rafael Nadal in a stunning semifinal. "He is playing really really well and Rafa and Dominic were the best clay-courters last year with Zverev", said Antonitsch. "The way he played in Barcelona was much better than Monte Carlo and it's about how he feels. Dominic was in the semis, the final, so winning the French is one of the biggest goals. He is one of the favourites for sure but if Rafa is healthy, at best of five sets, you still have to pick him. We have to see how Novak is doing, how Zverev is doing, the German played really well last year prior to the French. There are a lot of tough guys like Fabio Fognini who can compete well over two weeks but Dominic has shown he can go far. I would say Rafa and Dominic are the favourites."
Asked how important having Thiem in Kitzbuhel is, Antonitsch replied: "We also have had years without Dominic but for us, it's very important for how he is playing tennis. The sport is very followed in Austria through his success. The tournament is a traditional one, with beautiful surroundings, the last clay tournament before the hard court American swing. He is a top five player and we have a special relationship with Dominic and his family. He also has a story with Kitzbuhel, he earned his first rankings points there, he also made a final there, and he wants to win the title. Next year it will be very tough for the tournament and the players due to the Olympic Games that will take place in Asia for two weeks. Time difference, jet lag, it's tough. We are preparing for this year's tournament and we are not focused on 2020 yet. We want to have sold out crowds like we had last year and the year before. We are looking forward to a good tournament. Thiem is ready for the Olympics 2024 in Paris on clay, which will be a different story and he can fight for the medal."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2YgzIMA
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