ATP: Thiem-Physio Alex Stober – “The coaches aged very early.”

Alex Stober accompanies Dominic Thiem most of the tennis year. The physiotherapist is also at the ATP-World-Tour-500-Tournament in Vienna at the side of the Austrian number one. A conversation in Hall B of the Vienna Stadthalle.

tennisnet: Mr. Stober. What has changed in Dominic Thiem compared to last year?

Alex Stober: I think Dominic had almost the same number of tournaments. He’s been through a maturing process, physically and mentally. And that is also reflected in his game.

tennisnet: Dominic has decided against the Asian tournaments with the exception of Shanghai. Did you work with him during the time after St. Petersburg?

Stober: No, we arrived in Shanghai in time and then had a few days there to prepare ourselves well. But there was a longer break after the US Open. Dominic was in a very good physical condition, so there was actually no need. Mike Reinprecht did some Kondi units with him, I was abstinent.

tennisnet: Nevertheless, you were probably the one who spent the most time with Dominic at the tournaments.

Stober: I am the most loyal companion, that’s true.

tennisnet: What are the routines like after a match like against Steve Johnson at the US Open? Dominic played five sets, had to play again two days later.

Stober: The question is asked again and again, but actually it has become routine. I know him relatively well and try to ensure that he recovers well. Dominic does that well too, he can switch off excellently. I’ll see that he’s muscularly well again. So far it works very well, it’s a very uncomplicated thing. You respond to your body, do a longer session here and there, which my hands just signal. And then he’s back in full.

tennisnet: You have been in business for a long time. Do you still enjoy travelling?

Stober: Of course, I am still fully motivated. And when I work with a guy like Dominic, where I also have a daily challenge, and he also has a great attitude, then working is a lot of fun. Chemistry’s right, mood’s right.

tennisnet: That means: London can be booked by Team Thiem?

Stober: Well, it’s still relatively narrow down there. I think we’ll take a few more days.

tennisnet: To what extent do you also watch the WTA tour?

Stober: I still have intensive contact with Angelique Kerber and I’m very up-to-date.

tennisnet: She just broke up with Wim Fissette. Does that come as a surprise to you too?

Stober: Actually, yes. I know the Wim Fissette, that’s a pretty tough worker, who also has fixed goals. But somehow something went wrong with the communication. Something didn’t fit. Angie didn’t want to tell me exactly what was going on in a short text, but I will certainly find out.

tennisnet: If you compare men’s work with women’s work, what are the differences?

Stober: The gentlemen are much more open and comradely with each other. With the ladies, everything is always a little confidential. There one gets also among themselves little information. There is no loose colloquial language like with the boys with the ladies.

tennisnet: Back to Dominic Thiem. How do you experience that these days at the home match in Vienna? In Austria he had problems from time to time.

Stober: I think he’s really looking forward to the tournament. He’s ready. And he wants to show something.

tennisnet: In your work with Dominic Thiem you also have to deal with Dennis Novak from time to time. How do you assess its development?

Stober: An intensive friendship has developed with Dennis in the meantime, so I certainly keep an eye on it from time to time if time permits.

tennisnet: The world ranking doesn’t match Dennis’ skills, does it?

Stober: That’s not quite my expertise now. But of course Dennis would have to look a bit more for the challenge in his tournament schedule. If he’s playing such huge tournaments as Wimbledon or the US Open, then I think he has to continue at this level. Also to enrich his personal experience.

tennisnet: Fabio Fognini is now training in front of us. What can you say about him?

Stober: Crazy dog. Interesting. Never gets boring. Just a horny guy.

tennisnet: With great frustration potential for the coach …

Stober: I think the coaches aged very early with Fabio. Sometimes it’s very confusing with him. But once he finds his line, he’s very dangerous.