"Step by step I will work my way forward" - Dominic Thiem vows to make strong comeback, shares fond memories of Indian Wells & Miami ft. Casper Ruud

Dominic Thiem expressed optimism despite his ongoing slump in form, vowing to make a strong comeback. Thiem's US hardcourt swing ended with another first-round loss, his third in a row and fifth already this season, as he bowed out of the Miami Open with a 6-7(7), 2-6 loss to Lorenzo Sonego.

The former world No. 3 also shared some fond memories of his time in the United States over the past few weeks, including a picture with Casper Ruud, who was his doubles partner at Indian Wells.

After his campaign ended, Thiem expressed his excitement at returning to Miami to compete in the Miami Open in the future, before sharing his belief that it is important for him to approach things one step at a time as he aims to return to the kind of stellar form that he produced before his injury in 2021.

"Currently on my way back home! @miamiopen , thank you for the WC! Over and over again, it's a fantastic event! I am already looking forward to returning to one of the most amazing cities!" Dominic Thiem wrote on Instagram, adding a few pictures.

"At the moment, it's all about the small steps in my process. Step by step, I will work my way forward," he added.

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Thiem's only win so far this season came against Alex Molcan in the opening round of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires last month. The 29-year-old will now turn his focus towards the claycourt season, his strongest surface.

Dominic Thiem reflects on 2019 French Open final against Rafael Nadal, says he had the belief to win

Dominic Thiem competes during the 2021 French Open.

At his peak, Dominic Thiem believed he could beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open. The Austrian lost back-to-back finals against Nadal at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019, but the latter was the one that hurt him more. Thiem recently reflected on the match, suggesting that he missed an opportunity to beat Nadal in his most successful Grand Slam tournament, as he believed he could win the match after beating Nadal at the Barcelona Open in the build-up.

"One time was very – was not nice for me - the finals of 2019," Thiem told Eurosport.

“I was going into the match with the belief to win, honestly. I was basically on the top of my game I was physically in a great shape. I had beaten him in Barcelona some weeks before – quite solid,” he explained.

Thiem stretched Nadal to four sets in that match, but eventually lost 3-6, 7-5, 1-6, 1-6. He lost the 2018 final to the now 14-time French Open champion by a 4-6, 3-6, 2-6 scoreline.

The 2020 US Open champion lost in the first round of the 2022 French Open.