He is probably the best role model for this experience – Dominic Thiem on how Rafael Nadal inspired him to return from injury

Austria’s Dominic Thiem has revealed that Rafael Nadal inspired him how to make a return to the tour after his wrist injury. Nadal has always battled through injuries in his glorious career but he has always made a solid comeback to the tour.

The Spaniard has a never say die attitude on the court but it would be fair to say that he hasn’t had the rub of the green on his side because of injuries.

On the other hand, Dominic Thiem is slowly but surely getting back into the groove. The 2020 US Open champion defeated Marcos Giron in the Round of 16 in the Gijon Open in a three-set contest.

Thiem had to take a nine-month break from tennis due to his wrist injury and thus he fell below the top 300 in the ATP rankings.

Dominic Thiem said while talking to the Spanish newspaper AS, “He’s probably the best role model for this experience.”

“He did it not just once but four or five times to come back from a long injury time of six months or even more. And the form was always amazing. So it’s a great inspiration.”

Meanwhile, Thiem has beaten Roger Federer five times, Nadal six times and he has registered five wins against Novak Djokovic. The Austrian believes beating the Big 3 in the past is helping him when he is making a return after a big injury.

“These are different times. My career is divided into the first part, which was before the injury, and the second, which is now, and the first part was incredible. I was able to beat all the best, and win many tournaments, even a Grand Slam. And then the injury came and my trajectory stopped,” Thiem said.

“Now it’s a very interesting experience because I have to be able to compete with all the top players again and that’s good. Obviously, the matches and the wins against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic are helping me, because they were great experiences,” he added.

Thiem will play in the quarterfinal of the Gijon Open but his opponent is yet to be confirmed.