Dominic Thiem is eager to challenge Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal

World no. 3 and the US Open champion Dominic Thiem feels ready to make a strong start of the season at the ATP Cup and the Australian Open.

Thiem didn't play well at the inaugural ATP Cup last year, hoping for a better campaign in the opening week of February and believing in Austria's chances at the ATP team event.

The Austrian reached the Australian Open final 12 months ago, playing well and opening two sets to one advantage against the seven-time champion Novak Djokovic before losing in five sets. Ready to fix that, Dominic claimed the first Major crown at the US Open in September, overcoming two sets to love deficit and prevailing in the deciding tie break to become the eighth active player with Major title.

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"I still see Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic a small step above Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and me, but all six have a chance to win the tournament. We definitely want to play well at the ATP Cup. I also think that Austria has good chances because we have a strong team.

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The team basically likes the ATP Cup, and it also has something to make up for from last year. 2020 was a bit bitter because I was also well prepared and then played two poor games; I hope to do better this year," Dominic Thiem said.