World No.3 Dominic Thiem has suffered a setback to his preparations for the new season after his coach tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.
Nicolas Massu informed Thiem on Wednesday that he will not be able to leave his home country of Chile after contracting the virus. There has been no public comment from the former top 10 player and it is unclear if he is experiencing any symptoms. Thiem’s father Wolfgang confirmed that Massu has Covid-19 whilst speaking to Austrian media.
“We will have to do without Nico for the first one or two weeks, but then I’ll train with Dominic and Dennis Novak – I think it should fit like that!” Wolfgang told Kleine Zeitung.
The hope is that Massu will be able to travel to Australia as soon as he tests negative. Although there are uncertainties as all those arriving in the country are required to quarantine for 14 days. Therefore, unless any exceptions are made, it is possible that he will not be allowed to interact with the Austrian in person until his 15th day in the country.
“He will do another test in a few days. As soon as he is negative, he will follow (travel)” Thiem’s father asserted.
There is also the possibility that Massu may not be allowed to join the tennis bubble at a later date. Carlos Moya, who is the coach of Rafael Nadal, confirmed that he will not be travelling due to the restrictions. In a statement on social media Moya said he wanted to attend at the start of the Australian Open but the government is ‘not authorising separate travelling and arriving at the beginning of the tournament.’
In the meantime the 27-year-old will be guided by his father who will also be working in the coming weeks as the coach of Team Austria at the ATP Cup.
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 in 2019. Last September September he broke new territory by claiming his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Thiem will enter quarantine in Adelaide later this week along with the three top ranked players on both the men’s and women’s tour. They will all play an exhibition event at the end of this month before flying to Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.
