Thiem: "My wrist hurts again."

After rumors in recent days suggested that he was suffering from wrist pain again and could potentially, as a result, announce his retirement, Dominic Thiem was keen to clarify matters on Wednesday.

The former world No. 3, winner of the 2020 US Open, two-time finalist at Roland Garros (2018, 2019) and finalist at the 2020 Australian Open, posted a video on his Instagram account to clarify the situation.

In the video, the Austrian confirms that his wrist pain has returned, which explains his difficulties and tournament withdrawals in recent weeks. But he doesn't sound alarmed, explaining that his aim is still to return to competition on the clay courts of Estoril from April 1.

Dominic Thiem: "There have been a lot of rumours over the last few days. So I wanted to make sure you all knew what was really going on.

As you know, I've been training with my father again since the end of the Australian Open. To get back to the way I trained that made me really good.
We've gone back to training the way I did when I was younger. With a lot of intensity, a lot of ball-striking, a lot of hours spent on the court.

Unfortunately, just before the Challenger in Hungary where I made my comeback (Szekesfehervar, March 11-17), my wrist started giving me problems again. I started having those clicks again, which had also bothered me just after my return from injury 3 years ago. This strange sensation (in the wrist) has also returned and turned into pain in recent weeks. There's minor inflammation.

That's why I also withdrew from the Naples Challenger last week. Now I've cut back on my training a little, so I'm training less and for shorter periods. But the chances are good that I'll be able to play in Estoril (April 1-7). That's the plan. I want to start again there. That's my goal."