Dominic Thiem’s return from a wrist injury has hit a setback, with the former U.S. Open champion withdrawing from two more events due to a non-COVID-19 illness.
The 28-year-old Austrian, ranked No. 15 in the world, has been sidelined since June but said Sunday he still hopes to compete in next month’s Australian Open.
He originally had planned to return at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, which ended Saturday in Abu Dhabi, but withdrew at the last moment.
On Sunday, Thiem withdrew from the ATP Cup, where he had been scheduled to face Daniil Medvedev of Russia on Jan. 2. He also pulled out of the ATP Tour 250 event in Sydney starting Jan. 6.
“Unfortunately, I caught a cold (and tested negative for COVID-19) while in Dubai and was unable to practice last week. I will therefore not be in the physical condition required to be able to play the ATP Cup and Sydney ATP 250,” the 2020 U.S. Open champion posted on social media.
“After not competing for the last six months I can’t take the risk of coming back too soon and picking up a further injury. Overall, the time I spent in Dubai was great as I have increased the intensity and level of practice and my wrist is almost at 100 percent.”
Thiem sustained a detachment of the posterior sheath of the ulnar side of the wrist during a first-round match at the Mallorca Championships in June.
The Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Jan. 17.
“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 wrote.
–Field Level Media