Dominic Thiem has to do without Nicolas Massu in Australia
Nicolas Massu will not support his protégé Dominic Thiem at the tournaments in Australia. The Chilean is not allowed to travel to Melbourne after a corona infection.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jan 25, 2021, 08:27 pm
After the cancellations of Joao Sousa and Andy Murray it was already to be feared, now there is certainty: Dominic Thiem will have to do without his coach Nicolas Massu in Australia. The Chilean had a positive corona test shortly before leaving for Australia and, like the players affected by COVID-19, will not be allowed to travel to Melbourne.
Thus, Wolfgang Thiem will act as his son's head coach at the Australian Open. "Yes, Dominic's father Wolfgang leads the training and is in contact with Nico a lot. He is now negative, but still won't make it to the Australian Open," Thiem manager Herwig Straka confirmed to the Kleine Zeitung .
Great challenges await Wolfgang Thiem in Australia, as the father of the world number three will also look after the Austrian team at the ATP Cup. Straka does not expect an advantage for the second edition of the team competition given the fact that both Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak are preparing in Adelaide.
Thiem opens the season against Berrettini
"It's not that much better in Adelaide. The few advantages are that the player's team can be bigger, that it doesn't jam during training times and that the rooms have a balcony. Dominic has to leave after the quarantine Adelaide are traveling to Melbourne and have no time to adjust to the conditions there before the ATP Cup, "said Straka.
Basically, the preparation of the 27-year-old is going according to plan: "The training is going well and he is at a very high level." Thiem will have the first opportunity to prove his good form at competition level on February 2 against Matteo Berrettini .