Austrian Dominic Thiem, current number 15 in the ATP rankings and injured in the right wrist since last summer, announced on Tuesday that he must postpone his return to the courts, scheduled for this week in Abu Dhabi.
“I was looking forward to getting back to racing in Abu Dhabi, but I feel like I’m not ready to compete at the highest level yet.”the 28-year-old tennis player wrote on his Twitter account. “It is disappointing not to be able to play this year, but I need to continue with my preparation for next season.”added the winner of the 2020 U.S. Open.
Thiem, who became number 3 in the ATP ranking but due to his inactivity in recent months has dropped to fifteenth place, was going to participate in the Mubadala exhibition tournament that has been played since 2009 in Abu Dhabi. In that tournament, which will be played between Thursday and Saturday of this week, the Austrian was going to face Briton Andy Murray, in what was to be his first high-competition match since June.
After this message, his possible participation in the Australian Open that will be played in Melbourne between January 17 and 30 is on the air.