Thiem returns at year end event

After a prolonged absence from the sport since June 2020, US Open champion Dominic Thiem returns to play at the Mubadala Tennis World Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Thiem is the third male player to be announced after Casper Ruud and Felix Auger Aliassime.

Thiem had to stop competing because of a wrist injury he suffered early in the year. Thiem was very careful of returning too soon, in case the injury became chronic.

The Austrian started the year ranked at world number three, but struggled until the injury made him stop. In the last few months his ranking has been dropping at an increasing rate, now sitting 12th on the leaderboard.

Former coach, Thomas Muster has speculated that it will take a full year to get back to the same playing level as before.

Thiem’s journey back to the top starts in Abu Dhabi, it seems. “I was keen to find the right opportunity to make my return to the court and the Mubadala World Tennis Championship comes at a great time,” said Thiem. “The Championship offers the perfect environment to continue my comeback and play against the top guys on tour.”

The tournament begins on the 16th of December.