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Dominic Thiem says he's recharged for the rest of the season as he returns to action this week in Vienna, where he is the local favorite and defending champion. Novak Djokovic is the tournament's top seed.

The Austrian, who just won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, has played just one event since his major breakthrough. At Roland Garros, he reached the quarterfinals, but he looked physically taxed in the process, and since took a break to recover.

But now the No. 2 seed is fully recharged, starting his campaign on home soil with a straight-set win over Vitaliy Sachko on Tuesday.

"The battery is pretty full, for a while I haven't done anything," Thiem told Austrian press before the event. "I needed time to relax and reflect."

"Battery is pretty full": Recharged Thiem ready to defend Vienna title

"Battery is pretty full": Recharged Thiem ready to defend Vienna title

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Having done that, he's looking to return to play at a high level.

''Starting as defending champion is always special," he added. "The most important thing is that I am fully there from the start. I want to have as good a showing as possible, compete for the title again."

Thiem is next scheduled to play the Paris Masters and then the ATP Finals, where he reached the final in 2019.