Dominic Thiem’s feelings about the Olympic Games have changed.

The Austrian, who skipped the summer games in 2016 and once said he “wasn’t a big fan” of the Olympics, has now changed his tune. Ahead of his appearance at this week’s Nitto ATP Finals, Thiem said he will jump at the chance if the opportunity presents itself to play in Tokyo next summer.



"I really hope that the Olympic Games are going to happen in Tokyo, of course on the safe circumstances, that's always important, but it would be great for everybody if they gonna happen, especially in Tokyo, which is a great city, actually, one of my favorite cities,” he said.

Thiem didn’t always feel that way.

In 2015 he had this to say about playing the Olympics.

“I'm not a big fan of the Olympic Games. The ATP calendar is a bit complex due to the Olympic event,” he told TennisNet. “Small tournaments like Gstaad, Umag and Kitzbuhel will be played in the same week. It's not the main priority for me, but maybe my mentality will change when I'm older. I prefer playing ATP tournaments and Davis Cup competition rather than Olympic Games. The Olympics are very important only if you gain a medal and that's a very difficult achievement.”

If the 2021 games are a go in Tokyo, Thiem says he’ll happily make it a priority.

"I got lucky to say because I wouldn't be able to play the Olympics in 2020, because I still, I was playing in Kitzbuhel back then, I was supposed to, but 2021 I think I'm able to play the Olympics and honestly I changed my mind a little bit about the Olympics from the beginning of my career where other tournaments were more important for me, but now really it would be a dream for me to participate in the Olympics. If there is a chance I definitely want to play next summer."