Dominic Thiem anxiously awaits for decision on wrist, might need surgery leaving him sidelined for longer

It's been a very shaky 2021 for Dominic Thiem with the Austrian failing to live up to the level he displayed at the 2020 US Open which he won. He also saw the 2nd half of his season derailed by a freakish wrist injury that forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon. He was set to appear at the US Open initially but a setback in his recovery process forced him to miss it and call time on his season.

He is currently still in recovery yet Theim is anxiously waiting to see whether he might need to go under the knife after all. The decision will be made in the next few weeks after the status of the wrist is reassessed but if Thiem undergoes surgery he will miss up to six months additionally than before. Speaking on his wrist he said:

“In 4 days, I will take the splint off. I’ll use my wrist as normally as possible for a week. On the 4th of October, I’ll have heavy wrist tests. If the ligament remains stable, I’ll start playing tennis. If it pops out again I’ll have to have surgery. Chances are 60/40.”

He further said:

“Now I’m actually better than before because there is now complete clarity. I now have a precise timetable for what the next weeks and months will look like.”

He also spoke about his decision to try and force the issue ahead of the US Open saying:

“The US Open and the rest of the season was in the back of my mind and I really wanted to do it. It just came too early, I paid a little the price for not having any experience with injuries like this. I wanted a little too early too much."