Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori accept Winston-Salem Open wild-cards
ATP
A couple of big names are set to compete at the 2022 Winston-Salem Open, as Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori accepted wild cards into the ATP 250 event.
Kei Nishikori has largely been absent from the tennis courts this year due to various injuries that keep postponing his comeback to tennis. The Japanese player last played at the 2021 Indian Wells Open but will hope to get on the courts in Winston-Salem before the US Open.
One of the most talented players on Tour but rather unlucky with injuries is hoping to have at least one final push in his career before retiring, as he’s not the youngest anymore, and it won’t get easier as more and more months pass.
Thiem has also been dealing with injury issues, starting his season only in March at the ATP Challenger event in Marbella. His level has steadily improved since then, with some notable performances in recent weeks.
He made the Bastad Open quarter-final, semi-final in Gstand, and quarter-final in Kitzbuhel, and he is hoping to see that level translate to the hard courts now.
He didn’t play any of the ATP Masters 1000 events that came before but will start off his US Open preparation in Winston-Salem, which delighted the organizers.
Tournament director Jeff Ryan was very happy to have Thiem at the event as he hopes the event helps him get back to his best level.
"Having Dominic join our 2022 field is fantastic news for tennis in the Triad and really for tennis fans everywhere. So many people are thrilled to see him on his way back to playing his best tennis after that tough injury.
"Obviously, Dominic has grown a lot in this last decade, as has our event. We feel it’s just the preparation he needs to return to New York for the Open, where he’s obviously had his best results at the slams."
