Feeling refreshed
Several players have admitted to have suffered mentally during the pandemic, whether it was the bubble fatigue or the extended periods away from home, or the anxiety that comes with the uncertainty surrounding the world these days.
For Thiem, the time away from the circuit helped him refresh his mind and body and he expects to take similar breaks from competition in the future.
“Tennis is with some few other sports, the only sports which are 11 months in a row, basically. That's really tough,” he says.
“Actually last year, the six-month break, it felt so nice. It's definitely something I consider, as well, in the future to better take a little bit more off."
“I think it's a good thing to do and especially when you get a little bit older. With 20, 21 of course you can play week after week. I also did that. But the older you get, the more experienced you get, I think it's good to do a break sometimes."
“For me, it definitely helped. But everybody is different, so I don't want to give any advices.”
Thiem takes a 3-0 head-to-head record lead into his Thursday meeting against the 24th-ranked De Minaur, who advanced to round three when his opponent Lloyd Harris retired from their match while down 2-6, 0-3 on Tuesday.