Nicolas Massu before Thiem's duel with Nadal: "It will be a great match"
Nicolas Massu, Dominic Thiem's coach, spoke before the quarter-finals at the Australian Open 2020 against Rafael Nadal about working with Austria's current number one.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 28, 2020, 08:13 pm
"We come from different cultures, but we get along very well. Of course, everything is easier if the results are right, but we trust in what we do," said Massu in an interview on the ATP homepage. "It gives me pleasure to help him. The adrenaline comes back as a trainer, you only get these feelings in sports."
It is helpful that he and Thiem have an appropriate age difference. "I still know a lot of players from my active time," said Massu. At the same time, he knew what had changed in tennis, so he could best pass on his experience to Thiem.
"We spend a lot of time together, not just on the pitch," said Massu, who has been at Thiem's side since Buenos Aires in February 2019. "He is a hard worker, always wants to improve and is always ready to do that. His environment - the team and the family - always try to help him. He is always open-minded, that is the key."
Nicolas Massu: Nadal? "I love his passion"
Thiem is "ready" for a first Grand Slam title at any time, even if there are several players who are in a similar position. In Melbourne, however, Rafael Nadal initially got in his way. He will meet the Spaniard in the night session on Wednesday, the expectations for the match are huge.
"I'm analyzing everything," said Massu when asked about the preparation for the quarter-finals. "The match at the US Open is important, but it's also been two years ago. It will be a crucial challenge. The match will be great for the fans, but also for the two of them. They get along well and have a lot of respect for each other. They usually play incredible matches against each other. "
Nadal and Thiem are two of the three or four most intense players on the tour, Massu said. Both are very solid in their basic strokes, even though they go at a high pace. "Rafa is a role model for every child. Everyone can see how much he is committed to the sport," enthused Massu. "I love his passion and mentality, but also his appearance off the pitch."
And further: "He apparently throws everything he has into every single point. We will have to fight hard, Dominic is aware of this. He is also a fighter, so it will be a great match."
laverarena