Dominic Thiem: Return to the Place of Destiny

For the first time since his departure from Paris in the second round of the French Open nearly five weeks ago, Dominic Thiem returns to the tournament thanks to a wildcard win over Mallorca. Where the descent began.

The 30-year-old former US Open winner has been named as the main contender during his return to the Balearic Island on Saturday, with Thiem competing against Frenchman Gael Monfils, who was ranked sixth. The best tennis player in Austria, Sebastian Offner, meets Spaniard Jaume Munar.

For Thiem, who is ending his career in the fall, it is also a return to a place of bad luck: exactly three years ago on Saturday (today), the former world number three suffered a serious wrist injury in his right hand in Mallorca that left him forced to take a long break. . Injury as well as lack of motivation ultimately prevented him from continuing his years at the absolute top of the world.

This time, Thiem enters the match against Monfils as the underdog, despite having an excellent 6-0 record against the 37-year-old Frenchman. Monfils, who has also been unable to compete with Thiem three times, is currently ranked 38th on the ATP Tour, with Thiem nearly 100 places behind him at 134th.

But Offner still has some unfinished business in his first-round match against Munar (ranked 60th ATP). Including two opponents, Ofner lost all three matches to the Spaniard; His only defeat on the tour was last February in Rio, with scores of 6:3, 6:1.

Both Thiem, who competes with doubles specialist Lukas Midler thanks to the wild card, and Offner (with Italian Luciano Darderi) are also competing in doubles. (Abba)