Dominic Thiem confident about Novak Djokovic’s Calendar Slam success at the 2021 US Open

Dominic Thiem confident about Novak Djokovic’s Calendar Slam success at the 2021 US Open

Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic

World No. 6 Dominic Thiem’s 2021 has been a turbulent and disappointing one. A few days ago, he rightfully ended his beleaguered season as he is trying to recover from a nagging wrist injury.

While it is sad that Thiem will not be able to defend his US Open title in a few weeks, the Austrian was kind enough to talk to a group of reporters in Vienna about the final Slam of the year in New York.

The 2020 US Open champion picked World No.1 Novak Djokovic as the winner to win the US Open and thereby achieve the rare feat of a Calendar Slam for the year.

“I think Djokovic will do it. Because of the Grand Slam – he has such an incredible will and because it is a chance of the century to win the Grand Slam. I think he will not miss the chance,” Thiem opined at a Red Bull event.

The 27-year-old also threw light on his recovery path and his potential return to tennis. Thiem also sounded optimistic that he could return to high intensity practice by the end of the year.

Thiem optimistic about wrist

Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem

“I’m definitely back on the splint for six weeks, because that’s the time the tendon sheath needs to heal. After four weeks, the first examination is to see whether the healing process is going well. I can start running and fitness training at any time. If everything goes well, the splint comes down and then I can slowly strengthen my wrist and mobilize it again. If everything goes well, I should start to train fully at the beginning of mid-November.”

“Not now for a week or two, that would be too long a training phase. I’m still in top shape now. I really plowed for three weeks in fitness, on and off the pitch. That showed me how long I was around need until I’m in top shape again and that’s three or four weeks. I’ll start again after two or three weeks.”

The former World No.3 only played 19 matches in 2021, out of which he lost 10 and won nine. Thiem was also shocked in the first round of Roland Garros.

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