Dominic Thiem ‘loves’ watching Jakub Mensik and Joao Fonseca

On Tuesday in Munich, Dominic Thiem was back at the BMW Open. It was a different look for the 2020 US Open champion, as he enjoyed his post-ATP life in a zebra-inspired shirt and jeans.

Having attended the “players’ night” reception the evening prior, Thiem stepped out to toss the coin for a match won by Francisco Cerundolo against reigning title holder Jan-Lennard Struff.

In an interview with the ATP website, Thiem spoke about missing the “priceless” moments a significant win or title run can bring while conceding the toll behind achieving that state of bliss is gladly absent from his daily routine.

“To be in the position for those winning feelings, it’s a very long and very hard road. I know what it takes and I’m not missing that part at all, so it’s a good combination,” he told Andy West.

The 31-year-old, who retired at his home tournament last October in Vienna following a series of injury struggles and loss of motivation, still monitors the sport closely.

Two young guns making plenty of noise in the first quarter of the year have unsurprisingly kept him tuning in.

“Mensik and Fonseca are amazing. I love to watch them. They already made it. There is no question they are really going to be at the top,” said Thiem.

“I could watch them every week on the TV, but it’s also interesting to watch somebody for the first time,” he added after pointing to German teens Justin Engel and Diego Dedura-Palomero.

The latter became the first player born in 2008 to post a tour-level win when Denis Shapovalov retired from their opening-round contest down a set and 3-0.

Mensik and Fonseca are amazing. I love to watch them. They already made it. Dominic Thiem