The talking point of Dominic Thiem’s second round match at the US Open wasn’t the fact he won in straight sets but what happened during one of the breaks.
Seeking an energy boost the second seed went to consume a can of red bull before organisers stepped in and said he couldn’t drink directly from the can. The reason is because the brand is not a sponsor of the tournament and is therefore not allowed to be advertised on the TV. Although 27-year-old Thiem was far from happy with how the situation was handled.
“Give me a plain cup, I’ll somehow cover it and then I’ll put it in… I mean what the heck is this?” Thiem was heard saying on the court.
In the end the drink was poured into the cup whilst somebody held up a towel covering the can from being broadcast. Originally, officials wanted to take the drink away from Thiem and put it into a cup for him. Something the Austrian said ‘pissed him off’ because of the strict anti-doping measures that are in place.
“They wanted to go out with the open can and fill it in a plain cup without me observing it. That’s what pissed me off a little bit because the anti-doping rules are so strict. I don’t want to lose the can out of my sight,” Thiem said during his press conference.
“In general, they have such strict rules these days, and they propose me to fill the can in a plain cup without me observing it.”
Explaining why he has a can of Red Bull with him in matches, the world No.3 says sometimes ‘it helps him a lot.’ Thiem is also one of only four tennis players to be sponsored by the brand. The others are Matteo Berrettini, Reiley Opelka and Iga Swuatek.
Besides the drink incident, the three-time Grand Slam finalist experienced little frustration during his 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, win over India’s Sumit Nagal. He will next take on former champion Marin Cilic who he defeated in straight sets at the Rogers Cup last year. Although Thiem is expecting a tough encounter when they meet.
“He’s underrated because he achieved almost everything that you can achieve as a tennis player: Grand Slam champion, Masters 1000 champion, played two other finals in a Grand Slam,” said Thiem.
“Definitely one of the best players of the last decade, true champion. Even though for sure he’s not on the top of his game, he’s always dangerous for a big and deep run in these big tournaments.’
“It’s not a guy I want to face in the third round as he’s a former champion. On a good day he can beat anybody. Going to be a real tough one.”
Thiem has only reached the quarter-finals of the US Open on one occasion which was in 2018.
