Thiem Withdraws From ATP Cup
Dominic Thiem has withdrawn from next month’s ATP Cup and Sydney Tennis Classic, an ATP 250 event, due to a non-Covid-19-related illness, the Austrian announced Sunday.
The 28-year-old, who was due to lead Team Austria at the third edition of the ATP Cup, has not competed on Tour since June when he suffered a right wrist injury at the Mallorca Championships. Austria remains in the ATP Cup despite Thiem’s injury.
— Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) December 19, 2021
“After speaking to my team, we have decided to return to Austria, instead of flying directly to Australia,” Thiem wrote on Twitter. “Unfortunately, I caught a cold (and tested negative for Covid-19) while in Dubai and was unable to practise last week. I will therefore not be in the physical condition required to be able to play the ATP Cup and Sydney ATP 250.
“After not competing for the past six months, I can’t take the risk of coming back too soon and picking up a further injury… My aim is still to play the Australian Open but we will make a final decision about my participation by the end of December.”
Thiem went 9-9 on the season in 2021, with his best result a run to the semi-finals at the Mutua Madrid Open.