Dominic Thiem to play ATP Cup and Australian Open

The US Open champion and world no. 3 Dominic Thiem is working hard ahead of the new season, planning to enter the ATP Cup and the Australian Open.

The 27-year-old will not compete in Antalya or Delray Beach at the beginning of the season, traveling to Melbourne on January 13 and preparing for two-week quarantine ahead of the new season's first official matches. Dominic will lead Austria at the second edition of the ATP Cup between February 1-5, hoping to shape up his game ahead of the first Major of the season that starts a few days later.

Thiem will finish the season inside the top-3 for the first time, playing in the Australian Open final and lifting the first Major crown at the US Open. Thiem had a chance to embrace tennis glory already at the beginning of the season, leading two sets to one against Novak Djokovic in Melbourne's final before falling in five sets. Dominic fixed that at the US Open, performing a marvelous comeback versus Alexander Zverev in the title match to prevail 3-2 and secure the first Major trophy at 27.

Following the Roland Garros quarter-final loss to Diego Schwarzman, Thiem closed the season at the ATP Finals, reaching the second straight final and losing it to Daniil Medvedev. Thiem's fitness coach Mike Reinprecht says Dominic is even better prepared than a year ago, waiting eagerly to hit the court again and continue where he left in 2020.