GRUELING SCHEDULE THAT PROPELLED THIEM TO WORLD TOUR FINALS MAY BE ON DISPLAY AGAIN IN 2017

Written by: Staff on 23rd December 2016

GRUELING SCHEDULE THAT PROPELLED THIEM TO WORLD TOUR FINALS MAY BE ON DISPLAY AGAIN IN 2017

epa05632571 Dominic Thiem of Austria in action against Gael Monfils of France during their men's singles match of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 15 November 2016. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA |

By Ricky Dimon

Dominic Thiem took part in 27 tournaments last season. No other man who finished in the top 10 played more than 21. Thiem contested 82 total matches in 2016. By comparison, Andy Murray played only five more matches than the 23-year-old even though the top-ranked Scot reached the final of just about every tournament he played dating back to July.

Visibly exhausted throughout the second half of the 2016 campaign, Thiem compiled a disappointing 11-13 record in his last 24 matches. He had been an awesome 47-11 in his first 58 outings, a stretch that saw him win all four of his 2016 titles. Despite those numbers that make it clear he should play less in 2017, Thiem may not have taken any notes.

“If I would have played less, I wouldn’t be here at the (World Tour) Finals,” Thiem said during a London press conference. “This was one of the reasons why I’m here, because I was playing a lot…. Maybe I will play a little less (in 2017), but also maybe not.”

Based on the Austrian’s early-season schedule, it’s looking like not. Nothing about his January-through-March plans suggests he will cut down on his tennis in 2017. Thiem will play the opening week at the Brisbane International (even playing doubles, too, with Kei Nishikori) before getting in a second Australian Open warm-up tournament in Sydney. The season’s first Grand Slam is immediately thereafter. Thiem’s first three months also include the Sofia Open, the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, the Mexican Open in Acapulco, and Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Thiem’s schedule through 13 weeks

Week 1 – Brisbane International starting 1/3/17

Week 2 – Apia International starting 1/11/17

Week 3/4 – Australian Open starting 1/18/17

Week 5 – Sofia Open starting 2/1/17

Week 6 – ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament starting 2/8/17

Week 7 – No tournament

Week 8 – Mexican Open starting 2/22/17

Week 10 – No tournament (not playing Davis Cup)

Week 11/12 – Indian Wells Masters starting 3/10/17

Week 12/13 – Miami Masters starting 3/23/17