Dominic Thiem to join Stan Wawrinka in returning to competition at Marbella Challenger next week

Former world No. 3 Dominic Thiem will once again attempt to restart his comeback next week at the Marbella Challenger.

"It's been a very, very tough period for me and to go back to competition is what I need," he said on social media.

Thiem received a wild card and is set to join a crowded field that includes three-time Grand Slam champion Stanislas Wawrinka, who is also coming back from injury, and ten Top 100 players.

The 28-year-old from Austria has been off the tour with a wrist issue since June 2021. Thiem suffered the injury at the grass-court event in Mallorca and initially attempted to come back for the US Open, but eventually required surgery.

The 2020 US Open champion has since delayed planned returns several times this season. An unrelated minor hand injury stopped him from playing Cordoba in early February and the pushed back timeline ultimately caused Thiem to pull the plug on Indian Wells and Miami in favor of waiting until the tour shifted to red clay in Europe.

Thiem has dropped to No. 50 in the rankings.