Nicolas Massu will stage a brief return to competitive tennis over the coming days, thanks to a proposal put forward by the tournament director of the Austrian Open.
The former top 10 player is teaming up with Dominic Thiem’s brother Moritz to play in the doubles draw in Kitzbuhel. It will be the first ATP Tournament Massu has played in since the 2013 Vina Del Mar Open in his home country of Chile. Since stepping away from the sport, the 39-year-old has continued working in tennis. He is currently the principal coach to Thiem after being offered the position earlier this year.
“The truth is that I am very happy to return to a place as special as Kitzbühel, where I have the best memories. The idea came up last week, when we were training with Dominic in Vienna. In some workouts Moritz was present. The tournament director, Alex Antonitsch, was also there and gave us the idea of playing the doubles with him,” Massu told El Dinamo.
Massu is a former champion of the tournament, which is held at the Tennis Stadium Kitzbühel. In 2004 he defeated Argentina’s Gaston Gaudio in the final. A year before that, he finished runner-up to Guillermo Coria. Overall, he has played in the tournament nine times before this year.
The return of Massu also coincides with Moritz’s debut on the ATP Tour. The 19-year-old is currently ranked 968th in the world and is yet to win a professional title of any kind. Playing on the lower level Futures tour, he is yet to win a main draw singles match in 2019.
“We found it somewhat entertaining, we kept in touch, and now it is confirmed.” Said Massu.
“The truth is that sharing the field with Dominic’s brother is nice, entertaining, he is starting in professional tournaments, he is eager and happy about this opportunity.”
During his career Massu won six titles on the ATP Tour. His most notable achievement took place at the 2004 Olympic Games when he won the gold medal as the 10th seed. He achieved a overall win-loss record of 257-238 on the ATP Tour and in grand slams. Peaking at a high of ninth in the world.
Massu and Moritz will play David Vega Hernández and Hugo Dellien in the first round.
