In the duel with the Argentinian number 101 in the ATP world rankings, Thiem is probably a slight underdog. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old wants to do everything in his power to extend his Kitz farewell with a win in the first duel with last week’s Bastad semi-finalist.
But you won’t find any sadness in Thiem’s eyes. “I’m really looking forward to the week. I’ve been here since Tuesday, I’ve never arrived this early before. So I’ve had top preparation.” He will give it his all on Tuesday. “I want to put on a good show and thank the spectators once again with a really good match,” said the former number three in the ATP world rankings.
Good memories of Kitzbühel
Something special happened to him every year in Kitzbühel (except 2017, 2020 and 2021, when he didn’t play, ed.). “In the first year it was the first ATP points. That’s something special for every tennis player, a day I’ll always remember. The first final, the doubles final in 2016, of course the victory in 2019 and the great relief, that was sensational. Last year the icing on the cake was unexpectedly playing another final,” said the Lower Austrian.
IMAGO/pepphoto/ Horst Mauelshagen Sebastian Ofner represents Austria at the Olympic Games in Paris
A duel between two Austrians will take place on Tuesday at lunchtime (12.30 p.m.). Austria’s number one, Ofner, will face Lukas Neumayer. “I’m definitely feeling better. My heels are not 100 percent yet, but I’m confident that I’ll be able to play to my full potential,” said Ofner, who recently had to give up in Hamburg. He estimates his physical fitness to be “85 to 90 percent.” “If it only hurts a little, I can handle it pretty well,” said Ofner.
Kitzbühel “more important” than the Olympics
The 2017 Kitz semi-finalist was eliminated in the first round last year after having match points and a clear lead, but he certainly wants to make people forget that. Although it is Ofner’s dress rehearsal for the Olympics, the tournament appearance in Kitz is “perhaps even a little more important” for him. “If I play well and score points, I will get closer to my goal (remaining in the top 50 by the end of the year, ed.). And of course the Olympics are something completely new. I am very happy that I made it. It is the biggest sporting event of all, and being there is definitely an experience,” said the Styrian.
As the favorite, Ofner was expecting “certainly not an easy match” against Neumayer. “It’s never that easy, especially at a home tournament, but I’m confident that if I perform to my best, I’ll have a good chance,” said Ofner.
