Ernests Gulbis Is Not Looking Forward To Playing Friend Dominic Thiem At The US Open

by Tom Gainey | August 28th, 2014, 3:39 pm
  • 16 Comments

Good friends Ernests Gulbis and Dominic Thiem will meet Friday in the US Open second round, and the Latvian isn’t looking forward to it.

“Never want to play somebody who you practice with,” said Gulbis. “But, honestly, I have no emotions because of that. I think it’s a little bit tougher on Dominic, though. He really doesn’t want to play with me, because we played one match I think two years ago in New Haven in qualifying. I played a terrible match, but he couldn’t win me just because it was against me, you know. It was a really bad quality match, so hopefully it’s going to be better quality. But for me it doesn’t really bother me.”

Gulbis said the young 20-year-old Austrian Thiem has made him a better player.


“We have a good relation,” Gulbis said of Thiem. “He gave a lot to me by helping me to practice. Because if I see young guy who is so motivated and so eager to practice, you know, let’s say I have to be not worse than him, so I push myself even more through that. When he saw me pushing more, then he was pushing more. It’s a win-win situation.”

The two also happen to share the same coach, Gunther Bresnik. “I think he’s going to be happy somebody’s in third round.”


You Might Like:
Zverev, Thiem Lead Next Gen Surge at ATP Vienna; Preview
Dominic Thiem: The Younger Gen Can Beat Big 4 Players, But It’s Hard Beating Multiple Big 4s In Events
Wawrinka Crashes Out Of Home Geneva Event; Coric, Thiem Bid For Upsets In Nice
Novak Djokovic Now Leads Andy Murray By Over 8,000 Ranking Points! Dominic Thiem Into Top 10
Ernests Gulbis: ‘I Don’t Care About Money, I Don’t Care About Fame’

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

16 Comments for Ernests Gulbis Is Not Looking Forward To Playing Friend Dominic Thiem At The US Open

jane Says:

win-win situation for the coach. that must be a weird sort of conflict of interest thing, though, having the same coach. it happened in figure skating (pairs dance) with the american and canadian teams, and at the olympics this year it became controversial.

anyhow, for me, i am hoping gulbis comes through. go ernie, be ernest!


Polo Says:

Gulbis is the player who you should hate but end up loving anyway.


Eric Says:

No…Gulbis is the player you should hate, and do. “It’s worse for him because, duh, I mean, I’m me– come on guys.”


Hippy Chic Says:

Eric i completely agree with you,im sorry i cant warm to Gulbis either,the whole woe its tough been me kind of glib attitude,cute cheeky chappie good looks dont cut it for me either,stop shooting from the mouth and shoot with your racket instead Gulbis….


Margot Says:

I’m with Hippy and Eric on this one. Don’t “hate” him, he’s just a tennis player after all, but think he’s a twerp.
Go Dom!


Hippy Chic Says:

Yes go Dominic,whos the far more talented of the two men anyway IMO….


Hippy Chic Says:

Thanks Margot i dont hate him either,he just is as you say a twerp/jerk,but for some reason it seems lost on some people when your not a fan of a certain player,and dont choose to fawn over everything they say or do,just a generalisation….


Hippy Chic Says:

Thanks Margot i dont hate the guy either,like you i just think he comes accross as been a bit of a twerp/jerk,yet for some reason when you dont like a player and dont choose to fawn over them,it seems lost on some people,just a generalisation….


jane Says:

gulbis’ forehand is so weird; it looks like he’s going to take off and fly.


Polo Says:

I guess I was just referring to myself about Gulbis. I think he has a great sense of humor, very dry and edgy and always with a touch of sarcasm and self-deprecation.


Polo Says:

How dejected those US commentators sound after Venus lost. Can’t even hide their bias. They praised Venus but did not say much about the winner.


jane Says:

sorry folks, but i am happy to see gulbis winning and playing well too. his game is special when its on, and like polo, i think he can be quite funny in a sarcastic way. i like mavericks; liked safin and johnny mac too. i also don’t think thiem’s game is quite there yet, though there is obviously loads of potential. but ernie has the game already to go all the way and surprise people. so i’d rather he get through and we’ll see.

speaking of surprises, that goffin fella crushed sousa!


jane Says:

hmmm… getting interesting: thiem took the third with some good play but gulbis’ serve dropped off tremendously.


jane Says:

UGH gulbis… well, i hope thiem uses this opportunity. good for him to take advantage.


Polo Says:

Is there anybody more unpredictable than Gulbis?


jane Says:

he looked like he had it polo, and then his serve just dropped off in the third set, and more errors crept into his game. also theim was using lots of slices, mixing the pace, etc. it’ll be interesting to see if he continues or loses next round to f-lo.

Top story: ATP Finals Day 5: Sinner v Medvedev; Alcaraz OK In Win, No 3-Setters Yet