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'Sad news': Tennis fans shattered over Dominic Thiem announcement

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Dominic Thiem, pictured here after suffering a wrist injury in Mallorca.
Dominic Thiem suffered a wrist injury in Mallorca and will miss Wimbledon. Image: AAP/Getty

Dominic Thiem has announced with withdrawal from Wimbledon in a devastating blow for the World No.4.

The US Open champion was forced to pull out of the grass-court major on Thursday after suffering an injury to his right wrist.

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The Austrian star sustained the injury during a second-round match against Adrian Mannarino at the ATP event in Mallorca earlier this week.

Thiem, who had already opted out of competing at the Tokyo Olympics, will have to wear a wrist splint for five weeks.

He is now in a race against time to be fit for the defence of his first grand slam title at the US Open at the end of August.

The 27-year-old said on Thursday: "I'm going to do everything the doctors say in order to recover as quickly as possible.

"They've informed me that I might be out for several weeks but I will do my best to be back on court soon.

"I'm really sorry for pulling out of the upcoming three tournaments I had in my calendar: Wimbledon, Hamburg and Gstaad.

"They are very important tournaments for me. I appreciate all the support from the fans in these difficult moments - I'm determined to come back stronger."

Fans were left shattered over the sad news.

Sad new setback for Dominic Thiem

Thiem has struggled for form and fitness this season and arrived in Mallorca seeking momentum after a first-round exit at the French Open.

His physio Alex Stober said the Austrian told him he heard a "crack" in his wrist during the match against Mannarino.

The US Open champion joined Rafael Nadal in announcing his withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics earlier this month.

Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem, pictured here after the US Open final in 2020.
Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem look on after the US Open final in 2020. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Thiem said he wanted to concentrate on Wimbledon and then defending his only grand slam title to date - in New York later in the year.

"Hi everybody, I have some sad news to share with you all. After talking with my team and analysing the situation I have taken the very difficult decision to withdraw from competing in the Tokyo Olympics," the 27-year-old Austrian wrote on Twitter earlier this month.

"For me, like all athletes, taking part in the Olympics and representing my country is a huge honour and that makes this decision even tougher.

"However, 2021 did not start as expected and I don't feel ready to play my best in Tokyo.

"My goal is to work hard the coming weeks, give my best at Wimbledon and keep training and hopefully defend my US Open title."

Thiem was knocked out of the French Open in the first round despite being a two-time runner-up in Paris.

with agencies

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