Thiem still hopes to compete at 2022 Australian Open - "I'm optimistic that I'll be there"

Despite withdrawing from this week's Mubadala World Tennis Championships, Dominic Thiem is still aiming to begin his comeback in Australia next year.

The former World No.3 is scheduled to compete at the ATP 250 event in Sydney at the start of 2022, with the goal of playing at the Australian Open a week later.

"I am optimistic that I will be there. That is definitely the goal," said Thiem at a press conference in Austria this week.

Thiem has been off the tour since injuring his wrist during the grass season, and re-aggravated the injury when he started training again to return for the hardcourt season—a move which led to a split from his physio. Thiem is currently working with two new experienced physios, Carlos Costa and Jez Green.

The 28-year old says he is not placing a lot of pressure on himself as he starts his return. After starting the year ranked World No.3, Thiem is currently sitting at 15th place on the ATP rankings table.

''It's the first time I've come back from a long injury break like this," added the 2020 US Open champion. "But I also had to work my way up in my younger years."