"I love Spicy Food - maybe I had too much of it": Dominic Thiem reveals crippling stomach issues that caused US Open withdrawal

Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem has admitted that having ‘too much’ spicy food might’ve cost him at the US Open.

The 30-year-old had to retire from the second of the fourth and final Grand Slam against America’s Ben Shelton, largely because of having stomach issues.

Thiem, while talking to the media ahead of the Vienna Open, explained that the issue might’ve occurred because of his love for spicy food.

“It was a long story with my stomach,” he said. “After the US Open, I couldn't do anything for two weeks before I could start training again. But now I'm fine again. All I know is that it wasn't bacteria. Maybe I got some bad water or food somewhere. I love spicy food - maybe I had too much of it.”

Thiem is now set to face off Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in a mouthwatering round of 32 clash at the competition on Monday.

While talking about it, the former world number three admitted that Tsitsipas will enter as a favorite but believes that he is capable of producing a good result as well.

“He's the favourite for sure,” he said. “But if I bring my performance to the court, I'm sure I'll have chances. The last duels were all very close and were only decided in the tiebreak of the last set. Especially indoors, often only a few points decide.

“In the first years here, that might have inhibited me a little. Now it's no longer like that, especially since I was able to win the tournament in 2019. I'm looking forward to that positive energy, which is incredibly helpful for me.”