Soon after Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya voluntarily stepped out of making the Australian summer trip due to the virus situation, Nicolas Massu, coach of Dominic Thiem, has tested positive for the coronavirus in Chile.

As a result, Massu won’t be accompanying Thiem to the Adelaide bubble. Also, during the ATP Cup 2021, Dominic’s father Wolfgang Thiem will be leading the team in Austria. For now, until further notice, Massu cannot travel to Australia.

Dominic Thiem encounters a dilemma at the Australian Open 2021

Even if Massu recovers and tests negative for COVID-19, he needs to quarantine himself for 14-days in Australia, and only then can he enter the sporting premises. And as per the rules laid down by Tennis Australia, all team members must travel together, and this further diminishes the chances of Massu traveling to Australia.

While defending finalist Dominic Thiem will be playing to chase his second Grand Slam title in Melbourne, it is dicey whether Massu would be able to present himself in the stands of Rod Laver Arena.

World Number three Dominic will be training and quarantining with his compatriot Dennis Novak in Adelaide, Australia.

“He will do a test in the next couple of days. As soon as he is negative, he will come. Probably, we will have to spend the first two weeks in Australia without Nico. During this time, I will practice with Dominic (Thiem) and Dennis (Novak),” stated Dominic’s father, Wolfgang Thiem.

Earlier on Wednesday, following discussions with Rafael Nadal, Moya tweeted that he had opted to not travel to Australia due to the virus complications in Spain and the 14-days of quarantining in Australia, prior to the ATP Cup and Australian Open 2021.

The ATP Cup 2021 has been scheduled to take place from February 1 to 5, 2021. Following that, the Australian Open 2021 will commence on February 8 and carry on until the 21st of the same month.