It appears that Dominic Thiem has temporarily suspended his collaboration with coach Gunter Bresnik for at least the clay court season following the addition of a new member to his team.
The national broadcaster of Austria, Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), has reported that the world No.5 is currently working solely alongside Nicolas Massu. A former South American player who won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Massu initially joined Thiem’s team on a temporary basis during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where Thiem claimed his maiden Masters 1000 title.
Thiem was recently spotted training in Südstadt, Germany with the help of his father Wolfgang. ORF has reported that Wolfgang will assist Thiem during the Barcelona Open without any involvement from Bresnik.
“Dominic is 26 this year and is still partially perceived in public as if he were a small child,” Bresnik told APA. “I’ve always said, my ultimate goal as a coach is that Dominic is independent and completely independent.”
Bresnik has played an instrumental role in the career of the Austrian since he was eight. The two got acquainted at his academy in Vienna after Wolfgang applied for a job there. Besides Thiem, Bresnik has previously worked with a series of top players such as Henri Leconte, Stefan Koubek, Jeff Tarango and Ernests Gulbis.
Whilst there are indications that the Thiem-Bresnik era has come to an end, there is still confusion surrounding their partnership. Even the 57-year-old is unsure himself about what is going on.
“I don’t really know exactly,” Bresnik commented about the situation on ServusTV. “Nothing is clear to me. Most things are uncertain.”
Meanwhile, Wolfgang is keeping coy about what might happen in the future.
“Of course, some things have not been said yet, but right not it’s the clay season that matters. So having a clear front is logical.” Newspaper Heute quoted him as saying.
There has been no official comment from the 25-year-old regarding his plans for the tour. Speaking to the media in Indian Wells last month, Thiem said that he has been impressed by the positive impact Massu has had on him. Although at that time there was no indication that the collaboration could become a permanent thing.
“It’s amazing to have him in the box, because he’s so motivated. He puts the motivation on myself on the court. That’s great.” He commented about the 39-year-old.
“Beside the matches, we had a great intensity in the practices before Indian Wells. Because in like 12, 13 days, he got me from physically not in good shape, tennis-wise not in good shape, to an Indian Wells champion. That’s an amazing achievement also by him.”
Thiem will return to the tour next week at the Monte Carlo Masters where he is set to be seeded fourth in the draw.
