Marko Andrejic and Lukas Neumayer - Austria's next generation
Dominic Thiem is still the only Austrian to be among the world's best. With Marko Andrejic and Lukas Neumayer, there are two hopeful teenagers who want to emulate the current number four in the world.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Dec 31, 2019, 11:05 am
One recently trained with Günter Bresnik and in the academies of Galo Blanco and Italian star coach Riccardo Piatti. The other is currently out and about with Dominic Thiem and the Austrian team in Sydney: Lukas Neumayer, 17 years old, and Marko Andrejic, even a year younger, are probably the two most promising male talents in Austrian tennis at the moment.
What the ITF World Junior Ranking, last published on December 23, demonstrably underlines: Neumayer is in 60th place there, Andrejic in 190th place. The latter has a match record of 31 wins and 22 losses in Mostar, one in the past year Grade 3 event, it has already reached the quarter-finals. No wonder that Dominic Thiem has been supporting Andrejic, also financially, for two years.
Thiem - "Andrejic deserves this chance"
The training of Marko Andrejic is led by father Wolfgang Thiem. “I think Marko is great because he has a huge heart, is a big fighter, and has a good understanding of the game. The technical basis was rather small at the beginning of our collaboration, but Marko is now at a reasonable level, ”Thiem senior told tennisnet. "If everything fits, then Marko can play qualifier in Melbourne this year."
After the big junior competitions in Florida, Andrejic took part in Dominic Thiem's fitness training, in recent days he has measured himself against Thiem, Sebastian Ofner, Dennis Novak, but also Debis Shapovalov in training. "This is a great opportunity for Marko," says Thiem. “And I also believe that it is only possible to support someone: that they travel with us and have the chance to train with such people. Take a look and see how these players work. Marko deserves that too. ”Andrejic left the Austrian Tennis Association at the end of the year and is only trained by Wolfgang Thiem.
Bresnik - "Neumayer is an exception"
Günter Bresnik is similarly positive about Lukas Neumayer, who recently won a Grade 1 tournament in Cancun. "The guy is good for me because he comes from a great family," said Bresnik to tennisnet. “An extremely sporty family, both parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, etc. are not only very physically oriented towards sport. Technically there would be a lot to do. In terms of attitude, however, Luke is an exception. "
Neumayer trained at his academy for a week, Bresnik said, after which he sent the 17-year-old to Galo Blanco and also to Riccardo Piatti. Jannik Sinner, one of the most hopeful players, was also trained at his academy. “If Lukas gets a little advice, he is someone who can go far not only in youth, but also among adults. His attitude is so good. ”And the prospects for Austrian tennis are so good.