'What's going on': Dominic Thiem's 'concerning' downfall stuns tennis world
Tennis fans are beginning to wonder what is going on with World No.4 Dominic Thiem after he suffered yet another defeat in a 'worrying' moment ahead of Roland Garros.
Thiem, normally one of the favourites heading into the French Open, was knocked out of the Lyon Open after Britain's No.2 Cameron Norrie continued his best season ever to defeat the Austrian 6-3, 6-2.
WOW: Swiss teen outshines Roger Federer with incredible career start
WOW: Jelena Djokovic fires back at reporter's Rafael Nadal tweet
The British number two is enjoying the best season of his career, reaching the final of the ATP tournament in Estoril and consistently beating players ranked above his mark of 49.
"I'm so pleased to win today. It's my biggest win of my career. I couldn't be happier to get the win today and to get another match on the clay before Roland Garros," Norrie said in his on-court interview.
However, Thiem has been struggling with confidence and form after his two-month lay-off from the Dubai Open.
"It was a huge disappointment just now. Just also a big, I would stay, step backwards after promising tournaments in Madrid and Rome. I don't really know why," Thiem said after the loss.
"I was preparing well here ... I was hoping to take the little positive signs from Madrid and Rome here, but it didn't work out. I have to analyse (it) now and look (towards) Roland Garros."
Sum up that incredible @cam_norrie win over Dominic Thiem 👇pic.twitter.com/7wh2YFzuPT
— LTA (@the_LTA) May 20, 2021
Fans worry over Thiem's struggles
Thiem will head into Roland Garros with a 4-3 record since his return.
The Austrian took to social media to express his disappointment on the early Lyon exit.
But fans were also taken aback with is continued struggles and pointed out it was 'concerning' only days out from Roland Garros.
Worrying Thiem...
Early exit for Dominic Thiem in Lyon, stunned 6-3 6-2 by ATP No.49 player Cameron Norrie 😲 pic.twitter.com/ECUZlNVhZa— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) May 20, 2021
I think it’s safe to say that #DominicThiem’s form after winning the US Open last year has not been spectacular. pic.twitter.com/f16FIQXS8m
— Myles David 🗣 (@missingpointpod) May 20, 2021
A decisive win by Cam Norrie here, but concerning for Dominic Thiem heading into the French Open. https://t.co/XPnTqEWM9v
— Erik Gudris (@ATNtennis) May 20, 2021
What’s going on with Dominic Thiem ???😞🤯🤯🤯 I can’t deal with these random losses anymore
— Pony boy ✨ (@Tshepang701) May 20, 2021
Well done Cameron Norrie 👏👏👏And what is going on with Dominic Thiem he is not having a good year in the tennis world 🥲
— mariegarratt (@mariegarratt) May 20, 2021
It's another puzzling loss for Dominic Thiem.
He falls 6-3, 6-2, to Cameron Norrie in his opening match from the #LyonOpen.
Thiem is a two-time finalist at Roland Garros, but given his form the past few weeks and bulk of 2021, it's difficult to view him as a contender now.— Ben Lewis (@BenLewisSN590) May 20, 2021
Dominic Thiem sounding a bit shell-shocked after his loss to Norrie. "Today was a huge step backwards". Says he needs to practice a lot but has time before Roland-Garros
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) May 20, 2021
Norrie will face another surprise winner in French lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech, who stunned Italian sixth seed Jannick Sinner 6-7 (9-7), 6-2, 7-5.
with AAP
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
