"Federer and Nadal's comebacks have set unrealistic expectations" - Tennis fans come to Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka's defense after comeback losses
Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka's return to action after lengthy breaks ended in disappointment as they suffered straight-sets losses at the Andalucia Open on Tuesday. Thiem was making his comeback after almost nine months out due to a wrist injury, while Wawrinka had been sidelined for more than a year with a foot problem.
The three-time Grand Slam champion was defeated by World No. 131 Elias Ymer, while Thiem fell to World No. 228 Pedro Cachin.
Pedro Cachin beats Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4.
Earlier today in Marbella, Elias Ymer defeated Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-4.
But tennis fans on social media were, for the most part, understanding of the results. Many took to Twitter to remark that it was normal for any player, even former Major winners, to struggle after months of inactivity. In fact, most were of the opinion that only former World No. 1s Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had altered that trend with their unprecedented success in recent times.
2017: At 35 years old and after 6 months without playing, Federer returned from injury & won 3 titles with a 20-1 recordFrom @goitiatenis
✅ 2017: At 35 years old and after 6 months without playing, Federer returned from injury & won 3 titles with a 20-1 record
✅ 2022: At the age of 35 and after 6 months without playing, Nadal returned from injury & won 3 titles with a 20-1 record
For the record, Federer returned in 2017 after months on the sidelines and went on to win the Australian Open and the Sunshine Double to notch up a 20-1 start to the season. Nadal enjoyed similar success this year, recovering from a foot injury to win the Australian Open and the Mexican Open. The Spaniard also reached the final at Indian Wells to post a 20-1 record identical to that of the Swiss.
"Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's comebacks have set unrealistic expectations for how top players will perform immediately after lengthy injury absences," one fan tweeted.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's comebacks have set unrealistic expectations for how top players will perform immediately after lengthy injury absences.
@josemorgado Comebacks ain't easy. Just goes to show how special Fed and Nadal are with their comebacks and winning Slams and then some right away.
It is VERY tough to come back to tough after an extended period of time, make no mistake about that.
It's great to see them back on the court though. twitter.com/josemorgado/st…
"It was the normal thing to happen. Lots of time away from competition, you cannot expect a comeback and beat professional players full of competitive rythm. They went there to practice and i think they did a good match," one fan posted.
@josemorgado it was the normal thing to happen.
lots of time away from competition, you cannot expect a comeback and beat professional players full of competitive rythm. they went there to practice and i think they did a good match.
Rafa really spoiled you all, now I see people being UPSET ‘cause Thiem and Wawrinka lost their matches after a shitload of days out of tour.
"Comebacks for Thiem and Wawrinka today both sadly end in defeat. But this should be expected for their first matches back. They’ve both been out for a long time and it takes match practice to get their sharpness back," another fan wrote.
Comebacks for Thiem and Wawrinka today both sadly end in defeat. But this should be expected for their first matches back. They’ve both been out for a long time and it takes match practice to get their sharpness back.
Stan was not yet again the man. Neither was Dominic Thiem. In a sport where comebacks remain all the rage, Tuesday was a reminder of how tough comebacks can be. But it was great for the game to see them both back on clay after far too long
My latest
nytimes.com/2022/03/29/spo…
Returning to competitive tennis after a year out with injury is not easy, even for major winners. Thiem is down 5-0 after Wawrinka lost his match in straight sets.
Some fans made use of the opportunity to point out the quality of the Challenger tour, something that is often overlooked by casual viewers who only follow the ATP tour.
"People who expect Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem to go out and win comfortably after being away from the sport for so long need to reevaluate what they think of Challenger tennis," one fan tweeted.
People who expect Wawrinka and Thiem to go out and win comfortably after being away from the sport for so long need to reevaluate what they think of Challenger tennis.
@erktennis @ews24 That's very true, underestimate Challenger level players at your peril!(as everyone who has lost to or been pushed close by a qualifier at a slam, or indeed at any main tour event, should know by now)
"Today's losses by Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka once again prove how incredibly well players outside of the Top 100 play. No easy matches," another fan tweeted.
Today's losses by Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka once again prove how incredibly well players outside of the Top 100 play. No easy matches. #andaluciaopen
Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem will return to action on the ATP tour at the Monte-Carlo Masters
Despite their recent losses, Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem are on track to return to action on the ATP tour in the coming days. The Swiss is confirmed to participate in the Monte-Carlo Masters (April 10-17), where he has been awarded a wildcard.
2014 Monte-Carlo Final - Wawrinka d. Federer 4-6 7-6 6-2
It remains @stanwawrinka's one and only @ATPWorldTour Masters 1000 title... https://t.co/pWENwzTdRV
Thiem, on the other hand, will not need a wildcard since he is eligible for direct entry into the main draw with his ranking (50). Wawrinka is a former winner of the tournament, having triumphed in 2014, while the Austrian's best result has been reaching the quarterfinals (2018).