A contrast in cultures is one of the reasons which has made Nicolas Massu’s collaboration with Dominic Thiem a triumph, according to the Chilean.
The former Olympic champion has been working alongside the world No.3 since the first quarter of the 2019 season. Under Massu’s guidance, Thiem has achieved a series of milestones that has seen him win six ATP titles, including his first at a Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells last year. In September the Austrian broke new territory by claiming his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Impressively Thiem is the first top ATP player Massu has coached in his life. Although he has also previously served as captain of his country’s Davis Cup team. Despite growing up on a differnt continent to Thiem, Massu believes the duo has been able to achieve success because of the motivation and passion they both share.
“I think that we understand each other very well on both a personal and professional level. We have great communication, a lot of respect and a willingness to improve every day. I’m about to celebrate two years working with Dominic, and I think the results have been incredible. There is a lot of motivation from both parties. The way we work, we’re both trying to bring our 100% every day,” Massu told atptour.com.
“We’re from different cultures; I’m South American, he’s European. But I think that strengthens us, because we have different personalities but share the same passion for being our best every day. We don’t have a big age difference either, and that helps us have a great energy on and off the tennis court.”
As a player Massu peaked at a ranking high of 9th in 2004 which is the same year he won two gold medals at the Olympic Games. He has won six ATP trophies and played in the main draw of 35 Grand Slam tournaments.
“I retired seven years ago from tennis, and that’s not too long ago. So I believe that a lot of the things I experienced as a tennis player, I can pass on to him (Thiem),” he said.
“On a personal level I think we’re getting to know each other more and building up trust every day.”
Reflecting on 2020 Massu has paid tribute to Thiem’s consistency on the Tour despite what has been a turbulent season due to the pandemic. Overall, he has achieved a win-loss record of 25-9 and earned just over $6 million in prize money. Besides the US Open, he also reached the final of the Australian Open and ATP Finals in London.
“In the few tournaments that he played, he was very consistent and played with a high level of tennis. That’s a big step for a tennis player, to be consistent tournament after tournament,” he concluded.
Massu is one of five coaches nominated for the ATP Coach of the Year Award. Also in contention is Gilles Cervara (Daniil Medvedev), Juan Ignacio Chela (Diego Schwartzman), Riccardo Piatti (Jannik Sinner) and Fernando Vicente (Andrey Rublev). The winner is decided by a poll of fellow ATP coaches.
