Thiem tests negative but pulls out of Monte-Carlo Masters
The former world No 3 had just returned from a ninth-month injury layoff before being diagnosed with COVID-19
Austria’s Dominic Thiem in action at the Italian Open
Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem has recovered from COVID-19 and tested negative but has pulled out of next week’s Monte-Carlo Masters.
The former world No 3 had just returned in March to the tour for the first time since June 2021 and played the ATP Challenger in Marbella, Spain where he lost in the first round and was looking forward to playing more events on clay. However, the Austrian tested positive one day after his loss.
On Thursday, he posted an update, saying he was feeling much better after testing negative and planned to undergo some medical tests to get his training back on track. He also thanked all his fans for their support.
After breaking through to win his first Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open, Thiem struggled in 2021, going 9-9 before a wrist injury forced him to miss the second half of the season. He continued to face hurdles as he attempted to return to full fitness before COVID-19 struck him just a day after his first match in nine months.
Nadal, Medvedev also on the Monte-Carlos absentee list with Thiem
The Monte-Carlo Masters is the first big tournament on the European red clay season but will be missing several big names, including 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and world No 2 Daniil Medvedev.
Nadal, who has triumphed in Monte-Carlo a record 11 times, is recovering from a rib injury and expects to be back in a few weeks. Meanwhile, Medvedev announced he would miss one or two months after undergoing a hernia procedure.
World No 6 Matteo Berrettini will also miss Monte-Carlo after undergoing an operation on his right hand. The Italian said on Thursday that he will miss Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome.
The tournament, however, will see the return of world No 1 Novak Djokovic, who has played only one tournament in 2022.
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