Dominic Thiem still aiming to play Australian Open

WATCH: Tennis Channel Live: Dominic Thiem joins the team for US Open coverage.

Dominic Thiem is still aiming to start his comeback in Australia despite withdrawing from this week's Abu Dhabi exhibition.

Thiem plans to leave for Australia next week, where he is scheduled to play the ATP 250 in Sydney, followed by the Australian Open.

"I am optimistic that I will be there. That is definitely the goal," he said speaking at a press conference in Austria.

Thiem has been off the tour since injuring his wrist during the grass season, and re-aggravated the injury when he started training again to return for the hardcourt season—a move which led to a split from his physio. Thiem is currently working with two new experienced physios, Carlos Costa and Jez Green.

I am free of pain. But I am behind in training. Dominic Thiem

Explaining his withdrawal, the 26-year-old said he "couldn't have played two or three sets at a high level" and had yet to start playing practice sets.

"I am free of pain. But I am behind in training. I only step on court when I can hit 100 percent of the forehand and I am currently at 80 percent," he said, adding that he was mentally still questioning the wrist.

The first half of his season prior to injury had also been lackluster, with Thiem pointing to tiredness following his first Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open.

He says he is not placing a lot of pressure on himself as he starts his return.

''It's the first time I've come back from a long injury break like this," he said. "But I also had to work my way up in my younger years."

After starting the year as the World No. 3, Thiem is No. 15 in the rankings.