05. 08. 10.
Muster to work with Nadal
Former "King of Clay" Thomas Muster has revealed plans to work with Rafael Nadal.Muster, 42, said today (Thurs) he had agreed with managers of the Spanish number one in world tennis over a cooperation this autumn.
The former number one in the world, who recently launched a comeback in professional tennis, explained: "My training is based on plans from 15 years ago. I’m sure certain things can be adapted. Apart from that, I like to learn from the best."
Muster would not be the first Austrian to work with Nadal as 21-year-old Nico Reissig from Salzburg acted as sparring partner for the Spaniard for one week last year.
Muster’s comeback is meanwhile turning into a disaster as he crashed out in the first round of the ATP Challenger event in Kitzbühel, Tyrol, against Jamaican Dustin Brown (4-6, 4-6) yesterday.
This defeat comes less than five weeks after the 1995 French Open champion – who won the 1993 edition of the Kitzbühel tournament – lost against Irish underdog Conor Niland (2-6, 1-6) in the first round of the LB Open Challenger in Braunschweig, Germany.
Asked how long he planned to continue playing for, Muster recently said: "My wife allowed my to do what I like until the age of 45, so I’ll try making the most out of it."
Muster, who won 44 tournaments before ending his career in 1999, married Caroline Ofner in Gamlitz, Styria, in April. It was his second marriage after five years with Australian TV presenter Jo Beth Taylor until 2005.
Muster stressed he did not care what other people thought about his decision to give it another go on the ATP tour after the sports press began speculating that he faced financial difficulties.
"I always enjoyed the competition and I want to find out how good and strong I still am," he explained.
Organisers of Vienna’s BA Tennis Trophy – set to take place in October – said they could imagine offering a Wild Card to Muster as the former crowd favourite is expected to draw the masses.
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