Thiem a doubt after Kooyong withdrawal

Dominic Thiem’s Australian Open preparations suffered a blow on Thursday with the world number five withdrawing from the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament.

Thiem, one of the favourites to win this year’s opening Grand Slam, was laid low last week due to a virus.

He did, however, return to the court at Kooyong on Wednesday where he faced former world No 1 Novak Djokovic, losing 6-1, 6-4.

He was scheduled to face Lucas Pouille a day later but withdrew due to the virus.

As such Thiem is now a doubt for the Australian Open, which gets underway in Melbourne on Monday.

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