Dominic Thiem postpones comeback again but still hopes to play in Australian Open

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Dominic Thiem during a media chat

Former US Open champions Dominic Thiem has postponed his latest planned comeback, after pulling out of next month’s ATP Cup.

Thiem has also pulled out of the Sydney Tennis Classic, an ATP 250 event, due to a non-Covid-19-related illness, but he is still hopeful of playing at the Australian Open later in January.

“After speaking to my team, we have decided to return to Austria, instead of flying directly to Australia,” Thiem said in a statement 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.”

This is the latest blow for Thiem, after he pulled out of a planned comeback event in Abu Dhabi last week, with the Austrian still waiting to play his first match since injuring his wrist in a pre-Wimbledon grass court event last summer.

Dominic Thiem

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