By Richard Pagliaro
Coach Gunter Bresnik has set a major goal for Gael Monfils.
The acrobatic Frenchman launches 2021 working with the coaching team of Bresnik and Richard Ruckelshausen.
More: Monfils Hires Bresnik as New Coach
The 59-year-old Bresnik, who previously coached Dominic Thiem, says the goal is for Monfils to win his maiden Grand Slam title.
“He can win a Grand Slam tournament,” Bresnik told Austrian agency Heute.at.
The 11th-ranked Monfils’ best Grand Slam results are semifinal performances at the 2008 Roland Garros and 2016 US Open.
A former world No. 1 junior, Monfils reached a career-high ATP rank of No. 6 during a superb 2016 season when he won 44 matches. Monfils best Australian Open result in 15 career appearances was his quarterfinal effort in 2016.
Still, Bresnik calls Monfils “the best athlete in the tennis circuit" and says some fans and media misunderstand Monfils’ competitive character.
“Gael is gifted, fast in the head,” Bresnik said. “If you watch him play a computer game, you're amazed. He sees things earlier, like Nick Kyrgios. He has fewer problems with the pace of the opposing punches.
“He is often seen by outsiders as a clown, but he does not see himself as an entertainer. As a clown, you don't become number six either. He is a worker. Very strictly educated by his father, who was a professional footballer in France.”
The veteran coach, who has also worked with Boris Becker, Henri Leconte and Patrick McEnroe, asserts Monfils’ creativity and showmanship are unique qualities that must not be censored.
"He ticks differently. He is not a David Ferrer who digs, fights and bites,” Bresnik said of Monfils. “He feels comfortable when he's creative. You must not restrict such types unconditionally, otherwise you will cause a great deal of damage.”
Chronic injury, coaching changes and court positioning have been issues for Monfils, who has reached the fourth round or better in three of his last six Grand Slam starts—but he’s also failed to survive the second round in three of his last six majors.
A bigger Grand Slam obstacle: Monfils faces a nightmare match-up vs. the world’s top two players.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is 17-0 vs. Monfils though the electric Frenchman held three match points before bowing to the Serbian in their last meeting in the 2020 Dubai semifinals.
World No. 2 Rafael Nadal has beaten Monfils in 14 of their 16 meetings with the Frenchman’s victories coming at the 2009 and 2012 Doha.
Bresnik won’t be in Melbourne for the Australian Open—“I don’t do quarantine,” he said—but he talks to Monfils daily.
Monfils and Bresnik’s former protegee, US Open champion Thiem, are scheduled to square off at ATP Cup in Melbourne on Thursday, February 4th.
Bresnik and Thiem had an acrimonious split that’s currently in the Austrian court system as the coach has sued his former charge alleging breach of contract.
"It's all about money," Bresnik said. "I was pleased when the judge said at the hearing that we should clarify this in a conversation.
"At the moment there is no relationship with Dominic. But his behavior doesn't suit him. I know him as a justice fanatic. Signed contracts with adults must be adhered to. That's just the way it is.”
Wolfgang Thiem, Dominic’s father who formerly coached at Bresnik’s Academy, has called the lawsuit “sad.” Wolfgang Thiem will coach his son at the Australian Open as coach Nicolas Massu contracted Coronavirus and did not make the trip.
“It really makes me sad. I was a good friend of Gunter Bresnik,” Wolfgang Thiem said. “We are now so far past our working with him that he sued us. The situation is unpleasant, but the story is over for me. Things have been going uphill since the separation.”
Mark Peterson/Corleve