INDIAN WELLS, Calif.—Dominic Thiem has been one of the biggest risers on the ATP tour this season. The 22-year-old from Austria has surged into the Top 15 by winning titles in Buenos Aires and Acapulco, scoring wins over Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer along the way. He took a few questions from TENNIS.com while speaking to a small group of journalists in Indian Wells.

Did you do anything during the off-season that's set you up for this run?

I just have almost five or six weeks [of] very good, very hard practice with no injury, with no sicknesses. I really practiced for five weeks in a row with no [disturbances], and I think this was [a] very good setup for this year.

What have you improved in your game?

I think nothing specific, but everything. My new phsyio, Alex, makes a lot of great stuff. I'm more flexible, I move better. In general, I think I brought my level up.

I think I was, all the year, pretty consistent. I started with the semis in Brisbane, third round [in] Australia, very good South American tour. There was not just one moment—everything goes pretty consistent.

You're one of the very few young players with a one-handed backhand. Do you feel it helps you, and are there any disadvantages?

Yeah, it helps me with the slice, I think. It helps me to get tougher balls. And I think, especially on clay and high-bouncing hard courts, you can get more spin.

And of course there are also things which are tough; like if you get balls with a lot of spin to the backhand, I think it's a little easier with a two-handed backhand.