"I am not there yet, but that is the reason why I keep playing": Thiem motivated to return to the top after injury woes

Dominic Thiem is still struggling with getting to a high level but the Austrian player is determined to get there as he didn't stop believing in his tennis.

It's been a long time since Dominic Thiem injured his wrist in Mallorca and his tennis career has been very lacklustre since then. It took him a long time to even make it to the courts, but it's not been the same for him as he struggled with hitting a high level on a consistent basis. 2023 hasn't started much better but he's not losing hope:

“I still believe. I am not there yet, but that is the reason why I keep playing, to be competitive at that level once again."

It wasn't a good stay in Australia but Thiem is motivated for the next part of the season:

“It was obviously a very tough draw, I had a small injury as well, but now I am healthy. I was very happy to be at the Australian Open again. I have played the biggest finals against greatest players, so that is a huge motivation to try to be in that position again. Let’s see if I can make it. In the latter stages of 2022, I found my rhythm, there have been some wins and some positive signs, so I hope that I can keep going in that direction.”

Aksed about Djokovic in Melbourne, Thiem admitted that he wasn't surprised:

“I am not very surprised, because Djokovic still feels like he is young. Physically, mentally and the way he is moving on the court, it’s like he is 25 years old. We have to be honest – he is the best, so his victory wasn’t very surprising.”