Mats Wilander shares his views on Dominic Thiem’s woes: ‘He looks a little bit tired and is not as motivated’
Dominic Thiem “might need to take a little bit of a break” if he wants to regain his best form again, according to former world No 1 Mats Wilander.
Reigning US Open champion Thiem suffered a shock first-round exit from the French Open as Spanish veteran Pablo Andujar overturned a two-set deficit to beat the Austrian in five sets on Sunday.
After the match the world No 4, who took an extended break after losing his opening match in Dubai in March, insisted that he didn’t lack motivation.
“I was not struggling at all with my motivation but the game was just not there,” he said.
“All the shots are missing power. They are not accurate enough. I’m moving not well enough, so everything in my game, there are some percentages missing. I don’t really know why, because since I stepped back on court it’s already two months, and I was really practising well, super intense as well.”
Dominic Thiem rues ‘missing power, lack of accuracy, poor movement’ after shock French Open exit
However, Wilander believes Thiem looked tired and suggested the 27-year-old probably needs to take another breather.
“Yes, this was a big surprise,” Wilander told Eurosport. “I actually predicted him to get all the way to the finals.
“I thought that he would be nicely rested. Of course, we know that he has been having a few problems with his tennis.
“But nicely rested and he supposedly trained really hard. And then he was two sets to love, so that’s even weirder.
“When you see the whole match he looks a little bit tired. He is not as motivated as before.
“I’m sure he is going to be back, but it does feel like he might need to take a little bit of a break at this moment.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner reveals he has been having Call of Duty sessions with Italian football hero
Jannik Sinner has had some high-profile gaming clashes with Italy’s No 1 goalkeeper.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 offers up a theory to explain Novak Djokovic’s shock announcement
Has Novak Djokovic lined up a new coach following his decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s bombshell announcement fuels growing doubts over his tennis future
Speculation swirling over Novak Djokovic’s long-term future in tennis after his shock move.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s final moments of dominance were hard to spot – can he reclaim his crown?
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka used ‘parenting techniques’ to cope with Miami Open technical meltdown
Victoria Azarenka’s latest match was held up as the line-calling technology broke down – and she was not impressed.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic 3.0: Tennis great’s latest re-invention already underway with ruthless coaching move
The innovation doesn’t stop with Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic announces shock departure of long-term coach – ‘Thanks for everything my friend’
Did anyone see that Novak Djokovic coaching bombshell coming?