It has been claimed that a former long-time member of Dominic Thiem’s team was removed from his role without the tennis star speaking to him about it.
Alex Stober was the former physiotherapist of Thiem and had been working with him since 2015. The trainer has a wealth of experience after also collaborating with the likes of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Gustavo Kuerten, Angelique Kerber and Li Na. During an interview with Tennisnet.com, Stober said he was informed that he would be longer working with the former US Open champion by his manager Galo Blanco. The conversation happened shortly after Thiem confirmed he would not be playing another tournament this year due to his ongoing wrist injury.
“I was absolutely loyal to Dominic for six years – and then he doesn’t even have the courage to tell me that we are no longer working together.” Said Stober.
In recent weeks there have been some adjustments made to Thiem’s team which is headed by his coach Nicolas Massu. In August he started collaborating with Jez Green on a trial basis. A physical conditioner who has previously trained Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev. It is understood that Green has become a permanent member of the team. It is unclear if that was the reason for the removal of Stober or not.
Thiem is hoping to be fit in time for the Australian Open after what has been a roller-coaster season. Prior to suffering a wrist wrist injury, the Austrian experienced a series of disappointing results on the Tour where he won just nine out of 18 matches and reached the semi-final stage in one out of seven tournaments played. At the French Open he lost in the first round for the first time in his career.
“I was far away from playing my best tennis. Australia was still fine playing-wise and then I had some troubles with all the (tournament) bubbles. Then the last season was really hard physically and mentally. I felt low energy and was not in my best shape,” Thiem told The Tennis Channel on August 30th.
‘I took some time off after Australia, didn’t practice for a while and this got to me during the clay season.
‘After that, I started to play well again and the motivation was there one hundred per cent. Then at that moment, the injury happened. It’s a year to forget and now it’s time to rest, be pumped and work hard for 2022.’
Thiem is currently in Austria continuing his rehab. Tennisnet said they have tried to contact his management for a comment on the removal of Stober but they are yet to reply.
