- A strike of authority inside the circuit was given by the Austrian, becoming champion in Acapulco and confirming he could fight for important titles.
- His first ATP 500 win and fifth title of his career was won at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC.
Mexico City, January 28th, 2023 – In search for a player who could stand up to the three tennis players who dominated several generations at the time, Dominic Thiem raised his hand to face them on any stage. Since his first years in the pro circuit, good things were expected about the Austrian, but in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC in 2016 he ended up convincing everyone
With only 22 years, Dominic came into the 2016 edition as the fourth-ranked player in the tournament, behind important players such as David Ferrer, Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic. Starting off on the right foot against Damir Dzumhur and then defeating Dimitry Tursunov in three sets to later meet Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals. Thiem beat the Bulgarian 7-5, 6-2 to reach the semifinals and begun to taste the sweet victory of the finals (The Silver Gourd).
Thiem had no complications eliminating Sam Querrey by a double 6-2 to reach the final against the surprising Bernard Tomic, after the top of the draw was left without David Ferrer and Marin Cilic. In the title match, Dominic took the victory with a score of 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3 placing his name in the Acapulco history books.
However, Dominic Thiem’s Acapulco memories were planted a couple of years prior, in 2014, when as a 20 year old with some tints of promise, fell in the second round of pre-qualifying to David Goffin. “My first memory of the Acapulco tournament is from 2014 when I went for the first time, because I used to watch the tournament on TV,” shared the Austrian.
Like other players, Thiem agrees on how positive it´s for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC to reach three decades. “That this tournament is 30 years old means that it´s already a tradition, that the players and everyone likes it very much because otherwise it could not last so long. A 30-year anniversary is always a good omen,” he stated.
“Domi”, remembers how special it was for him to be able to reach the beaches of Acapulco in a tour stop that has become unique. Few places on the circuit can combine so many special factors in one place, and that is what Thiem highlights about the tournament: “What I like most of course is the weather, always sunny and warm, also that it´s all in one, (the tennis club, the stadium, the hotel & the beach), that makes it unique and a very special place,” he confirmed.
The last time Dominic Thiem set foot on Acapulco was in 2018, when he lost to Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarterfinals. He fondly remembers the atmosphere of the tournament and hopes to one day return to the event: “The Mexican fans are great fans, very passionate; it’s a lot of fun to play in front of them. I hope to be there again very soon,” he concluded.
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