ATP Tour: Dominic Thiem pulls out of Indian Wells, Miami Open

Dominic Thiem has withdrawn from the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open ATP Tour tournaments, still to getting match fit after recuperating from a wrist injury.

The Austrian, who has not competed at a Tour-level event since June when he suffered a right wrist injury at the Mallorca Championships, said he is looking forward to the clay-court season.

"I [have] had really good practice weeks," Thiem said in a video message on Instagram. "The wrist is perfectly fine and the hand is getting better and better, but I have still decided to pull out of Indian Wells and Miami to start on the clay courts. It is still the surface I feel the most comfortable [on], so I think it is the perfect time to start there."

"I would have loved to play in the [United] States and I am really sorry for my fans. Last time I played in Indian Wells I won the tournament so I love to play in the States and I can't wait to be back soon," the 28-year-old who is expected to return in April.

Thiem, a former World No. 3, has lifted the title in Indian Wells in 2019 while his best result in Milan was a run to the quarter-finals in 2015.