Wolfgang Thiem (L) and Nicolas Massu look on as Dominic Thiem plays (AFP)
Dominic Thiem is considered as one of the ‘next gen’ players and his coaching pair of Nicolas Massu and Wolfgang Thiem are ensuring he reaches his potential.
The 26-year-old Austrian had a recent heartbreak in the 2020 Australian Open final. It seemed he was going to get the better of Novak Djokovic and was leading two sets to one.
However, the Serbian rallied back and won the final in five sets. Djokovic picked up his eighth Australian Open title and is now perfect in finals.
Djokovic also had some great words of praise for Thiem, and the Austrian reciprocated the feelings.
The Serbian believed Thiem would win several Grand Slams in the future, and on the basis of this showing, Djokovic wasn’t wrong.
Thiem still needs some help to close out the big games it seems, and his coaching pair will be working on that.
Wolfgang Thiem is actually Dominic’s father, and tennis seems to run in the family.
Dominic has a younger brother, Moritz, who is also a tennis player while his father is a coach.
Dominic’s mother, Karin is also a tennis coach and his parents have worked with several players in the past.
Wolfgang used to work at Gunter Bresnik’s academy where Bresnik became Dominic’s coach.
Dominic was just nine when he went under Bresnik’s wing, but things changed and there was a new coach to help the rising Austrian star.
Wolfgang is also the coach of the second and third-seeded Austrian players, but Dominic got help from a former professional in Nicolas Massu.
The 40-year-old Chilean was a former professional and became Thiem’s coach after the 2019 Indian Wells Masters 1000 Tournament.
Massu didn’t have too much success as a professional but had some fantastic matches during his time on the court.
The now 40-year-old did win Olympic Gold in 2004 in both the singles and doubles, but his luck in Grand Slams wasn’t as great.
Massu did win six ATP titles during his career in singles clashes while he had one title while playing in doubles competition.
The Chilean played in 35 Grand Slams throughout his career but his best result was the fourth round in the 2005 US Open in singles competition.
He did reach the semi-finals of the 2005 French Open doubles but never lifted a Grand Slam title.
It is not to say that he didn’t have some great games though as he once beat former World No.1 Tim Henman and beat Andy Roddick, when the American was in the top 10, thrice.
Massu might not have been the biggest name during his playing days, but it will be interesting to see how he does as the coach for Thiem now.
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The Austrian has to get a Grand Slam under his belt soon and hopefully, Wolfgang and Massu can get the job done.
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