Thiem manager Herwig Straka - "That would mean war with Roger Federer"
As part of the announcement of the venue for the Davis Cup match between Austria and Uruguay (March 6 and 7, 2020 in Premstätten), Dominic Thiem's manager Herwig Straka took a few minutes to play tennisnet.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Dec 14, 2019, 12:50 pm
tennisnet : Mr. Straka. You called the Davis Cup final tournament the Champions League in tennis. How did you like the first edition in Madrid?
Herwig Straka : Unfortunately I wasn't there myself, but of course I spoke to a lot of people who told me about it. It was as we expected it to be, which was very challenging in terms of viewers. A final tournament with 18 nations will usually be hung on the home nation and a maximum of two or three others. It was good that Spain won. I doubt whether the format will last in the long term. It is still the high point of the ITF and therefore the Champions League. Of course, we have many other highlights on the ATP Tour. For a national team, the most important thing is to qualify for this final tournament. But there was rightly criticism of the game schedule. And the facility is not suitable for a tournament in winter.
tennisnet : A better date would be the time after the US Open. But that's where Roger Federer organizes the Laver Cup. Do you see a solution here in the medium term?
Straka : There are weeks when the ITF is privileged. You could start the Davis Cup there. But that would definitely mean war with Roger Federer. As far as I know, Federer will not give up this appointment. As an ATP board member, I can say that we are already working with the ITF. Because it's pretty clear that we can't keep two big team competitions in the long run. I still believe that the first week on the calendar is the very best. Even if it may seem strange that you start the year with a finale. But that's the only time of year that players are available and enjoy playing. And you have to align yourself with the players.
tennisnet : Now is exactly for this date, namely the beginning of 2020, the ATP Cup. Do you trust the Australian audience more than that at the Davis Cup final tournament?
Straka : Absolutely. The enthusiasm for tennis in Australia is extremely great. Of course in Spain too. But we're talking about a continent that only plays for one month a year. The fans are really greedy for tennis. We are not only talking about Australia, but all of Asia. China, Japan, India - a huge catchment area. I am very confident that we will get it fully.
tennisnet : How confident can Austrian tennis fans be that Dominic Thiem will play in the Davis Cup next year?
Straka : Dominic would definitely be in the final. If we look at the current planning, it will be difficult with Premstätten against Uruguay. If there is any way, then he will play.
Sympathy between pattern and Thiem
tennisnet : After the Australian Open Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro are planned. Is a start in Acapulco off the table?
Straka : Our plan is to play fewer tournaments. Acapulco is one of those events that falls victim to that. But first you have to see how Dominic plays. He is in a very good mood at the moment.
tennisnet : Hopefully we'll see that at the ATP Cup too. Where Thomas Muster will be the Austrian captain. In London, Muster said that they would talk about further cooperation, what is the current status there?
Straka : The next talks will take place in Australia. There is sympathy from both sides for a solution, but it would also mean that Thomas would have to be out for a few weeks. We are currently clarifying this. And we know him: if he does something, then always with full commitment. And that is what Dominic and Nicolas Massu want. That is not in question. If so, it's just about putting a few peaks. So that Dominic becomes even more successful.
tennisnet : Right or wrong - in the Wiener Stadthalle, where Thomas Muster was sitting next to you in the box, did he already coach in Dominic Thiem's matches?
Straka : He talked to me a lot. And also spoken in. I asked Dominic if he got it too. That was the case. But clearly his reference was still the bank with Nicolas Massu and Wolfgang Thiem. But if you sit next to Thomas Muster and see what he sees in a match, there is definitely great potential.