"Very, very sad" - Dominic Thiem on the Vienna terror attack that 'shocked the entire world'
World No. 3 Dominic Thiem recently talked about the terrorist attack in Vienna, and how his coach Nicolas Massu was trapped in a restaurant due to the violence in the city. The Austrian also gave a positive update about his physical condition ahead of the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals.
Thiem revealed in his latest website upload that he has recovered from the toe injury that he suffered during the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. The injury had also caused him to withdraw from the recently concluded Paris Masters.
“After losing in the quarterfinal at my home tournament in Vienna I recovered from my foot injury,” Thiem wrote. “It took me two, three days to recover. Then I started my preparation for the final in London at the O2 Arena."
Dominic Thiem then went on to express his thoughts about the horrors faced by his coach Nicolas Massu during the recent terror attack in Vienna. The Chilean was having a meal in a nearby restaurant when the attacks began, forcing him to take cover in the eatery for eight excruciating hours.
Thiem expressed his grief at the heinous act that brought life to a standstill in his country.
“It was a week with thousands of thoughts in my mind,” Thiem wrote further. “My coach Nicolas Massu literally experienced the atrocious terror attack in Vienna, was close having dinner at a restaurant and was locked up until 2:30 at night. A terror attack that shocked the entire world! Suddenly life was at a halt in Austria. Very, very, sad.”
Moving on, Dominic Thiem also informed everyone about his Nitto ATP Finals travel plans. The reigning US Open champion will depart for London on Wednesday with a ‘mini-team’, which is understandable given the COVID restrictions in the UK.
“On Wednesday I am leaving for London with a 'mini-team',” Thiem revealed.
He then fondly recalled his memories of the 2019 ATP Finals where he beat Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.
“The final goal of 2020, the memories of last year are nice!” Thiem continued. “During the group phase I beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, I beat Alexander Zverev in the semifinal.”
The Austrian, however, rued his close loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final, which he believes was only a matter of a few points.
“Then I had that 6:7 in the third set against Stefanos Tsitsipas,” Thiem observed. “It was just a few points that decided heaven or hell.”
Dominic Thiem in contention for ‘Athlete of the year’ award in Austria
With his recent US Open triumph, Dominic Thiem has immortalized himself in Austrian sports history. It is no surprise, then, that the World No. 3 has been nominated for the ‘Austrian Sportsperson of the Year’ award along with the likes of David Alaba (football), Nikola Bilyk (handball), Stefan Kraft (Ski Jumper), and Matthias Mayer (alpine ski racer).
The result of this award will be announced on 10 November in a low-key ceremony without any audience. Dominic Thiem wrote in his blog that he will attend the ceremony with his brother and that it would be his final public appearance before departing for London.
“The ‘Athletes of the Year’ award ceremony will take place next Tuesday,” Thiem wrote. “Of course, without audience! No media rumble and highly guarded security checks. I shall be there together with my brother Moritz. It will be my final public appearance before the Masters in England.”