Dominic Thiem 'feeling great' as he aims maiden Nitto ATP Finals title

World No. 3 Dominic Thiem says he has arrived to London feeling great mentally and physically as he hopes to go a step further at the Nitto ATP Finals this year. 

Thiem, who claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at this past US Open, fell just short of winning a maiden Nitto ATP Finals last year after being edged by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final which was decided in a third-set tie-break.

"Last year I was a little bit sick here, but I played great. I needed a break afterwards. This year, I’m feeling great - physically and mentally. I could probably go to Australia straight away," Thiem said in his pre-tournament press conference at the Nitto ATP Finals, as revealed by Nikolaus Fink.

Meanwhile, top-ranked Austrian tennis player Thiem has changed his views on the Olympics and he would love to make his maiden Olympic appearance at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

"I got lucky. This year, I wouldn’t have been able to play because of Kitzbuhel. To be honest, I changed my mind. It would be a dream to participate in the Olympics. I would love to play there next year."

Thiem inspired by Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro 

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Great Britain's Murray defeated Argentina's del Potro to become the first player ever with back-to-back Olympic gold medals.

"I saw the emotions of Murray and del Potro. Maybe I can play three Olympic Games in my career," Thiem revered. 

Thiem suffered a disappointing quarterfinal loss in front of his home fans in Vienna and he hasn't played since as be was recovering from an injury

"After losing in the quarter-final at my home tournament in Vienna I recovered from my foot injury,” Dominic Thiem said on his website. “It took me two, three days to recover, then I started my preparation for the final in London at the O2-Arena."

Several days ago, Thiem described the Nitto ATP Finals as the final goal.

"On Wednesday I am leaving for London with a ‘mini-team’. The final goal of 2020, the memories of last year are nice!" Thiem said. "During the group phase I beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, I beat Alexander Zverev in the semi-final.

“Then I had that 6-7 in the third set against Stefanos Tsitsipas. It were just a few points that decided heaven or hell."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Uub6jo