Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev, finalists of the 2020 US Open, are currently nursing their injury woes. While the Austrian has been a Tour regular in the second half of the season, Zverev remains on the sidelines following his freak ankle injury at the 2022 French Open.
Thiem had injured his wrist at the 2021 Mallorca Championships, ruling him out of the season. While he attempted to make comebacks within the season, his doctors continued to advise him against it. As a result, Thiem remained absent from the Tour till April 2022.
Thiem took the old-school route of playing in the Challengers alongside regular Tour appearances to be match-fit once again. Thiem reached four semi-finals this season, thrice on the Tour and once in the Challenger event in Rennes where he finished runner-up.
Thiem and Zverev have both confirmed their places in the upcoming World Tennis League. The event will be held in Dubai from the 19th to the 24th of December. Thiem and Zverev are together in Team Hawks and could be seen coaching each other as they look to emerge victorious at the event.
Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev part of a brilliant line-up at the World Tennis League
The World Tennis League promises a star-studded line-up, having confirmed the likes of Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Nick Kyrgios, Sania Mirza, Paula Badosa, and Aryna Sabalenka, to name a few. Joining Thiem and Zverev, reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and Estonian No. 1 Anett Kontaveit will also be part of Team Hawks.
Every day of the event will see a singles match for both men and women followed by a mixed doubles clash. Neither of the mixed doubles pairings is confirmed yet and it could well be a surprise for fans on how the teams line up for the mixed doubles matches.
Zverev will take on Djokovic in his singles match while Thiem will go up against Canadian young gun Felix Auger-Aliassime. As for the ladies, Rybakina will take on Sabalenka while Kontaveit will take on Swiatek.
