'US Open took its toll' -Thiem says he's fit and ready for return in Madrid

World number four Dominic Thiem said on Saturday that he's fit and looking forward to getting back on court after taking some time out from the ATP Tour.

The 27 year-old Austrian, who won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last year,

went out of the 2021 Australian Open in the fourth round and early on in two subsequent tournaments in Doha and Dubai in March.

He said he felt an 'emptiness' over this period and decided to step away temporarily to recharge the batteries.

But as a two-time finalist, Thiem believes that a a return to action at the ATP 1000 Madrid Open this week is the perfect tournament to begin his journey back to the top level.

The number three seed has been given a bye into round two and his first opposition will come from one of the qualifiers.