Australian Open 2020: Dominic Thiem’s bizarre family tattoo tradition
World No.5 Dominic Thiem has let slip about a crazy family tradition involving his mum, titles and a tattoo gun. Let’s just say we hope the Austrian takes out the Australian Open this year.
Tennis
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Dominic Thiem isn’t a fan but he would love to see his mum getting a tattoo of a kangaroo next week.
If she is required to get some ink then that means a bizarre family tradition would be continuing and he’d be the Australian Open champion.
Thiem’s mother, Karin, made a bet last year that she’d get a tattoo if her son won the ATP Masters 1000 at Indian Wells.
“I’d had a bad start to last year and after a long trip to Indian Wells she said if you win the title I’ll get a tattoo,” Thiem explained.
Watch over 50 sports LIVE on Kayo! Stream to your TV, mobile, tablet or computer. Just $25/month, cancel anytime. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
The 26-year-old went on to register the biggest win of his career, defeating Roger Federer in the final.
Karin was true to her word and got a tattoo of an eagles’ feather. Since then she’s added another four with Thiem winning a career-best five tournaments for the year.
Each tattoo has a link to the city where her son won so the line-up includes the sun (Barcelona), a panda (Beijing) and a ferris wheel (Vienna).
“I really would like to deny it,” Thiem said when quizzed about his mother’s tattoos after taking care of Gael Monfils in the fourth round.
“But unfortunately I have to confirm it.”
The No.5 seed was quick to nominate what she would be getting if he captured his maiden Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park: “For sure a kangaroo.”
DAD’S RISKE BUSINESS
Alison Riske, who threatened to spoil the Barty Party on Sunday night, has an intriguing background.
The American’s father, Al, has worked for the Secret Service and the FBI with Riske comparing him to Robert De Niro’s famous character from the comedy hit ‘Meet The Parents’.
De Niro played Jack Byrnes, a retired protective CIA operative, who used hidden cameras to spy on his further son-in-law Greg Focker - played by Ben Stiller.
“Oh, my dad is Robert De Niro 100 per cent,” Riske said in a recent interview.
She admitted growing up in that environment meant she was “paranoid to this day about everything”.
“Just going out, always looking left and right,” Riske said light-heartedly. “Or, you’re in a crowded place, be alert. Where’s the closest exit sign if you need to escape? Things like that.
“I just think because of him I’m 100 per cent paranoid.”
ICE, ICE BABY
He seems to have ice in his veins but that’s one thing Roger Federer doesn’t go near.
Given he’s known as the ultimate professional it comes as a surprise that the well-known recovery tool of an ice bath isn’t in the Swiss superstar’s regime.
“I’m a guy that doesn’t do ice baths,” Federer said. “I tried it once, didn’t like it, so I’ll never do it again.”
Federer, 38, prefers some old school techniques including a good night’s sleep as the secret to his recovery powers.
“I’m still doing the things like I used to: trying to sleep enough, take a massage and a stretch. That’s it really. Do that for as much as I can to get ready,” he said.
“I’m very happy how I’m feeling considering my age, considering everything I’ve gone through throughout my career.”
TWO PEAS IN A POD
Darren Cahill thought he was doing the right thing by his family.
After travelling the world coaching Simona Halep, he made the big call to relinquish the role so he could spend more time with his wife and kids back home in Adelaide.
“I thought I was doing the right thing for my family over 12 months ago,” Cahill said.
“I came home and said, ‘Hey, kids, I’m taking a year off work and I’m going to be around a little bit more’. And my daughter started crying.
“I thought she was really happy but she was pissed that I was leaving Simona. That’s what she means to my family.”
TENNYS LOVES MELBOURNE
We know Tennys Sandgren is a proud patriot but the American journeyman should seriously consider relocating to Melbourne.
The Tennessee native, who turned pro in 2011, has won a large chunk of his $2.1 million career earnings at the past three Australian Opens.
The Melbourne Park specialist will bank $525,000 at worst if his giant-killing run ends tonight against Roger Federer.
It would take Sandgren’s earnings in Australia to over $1 million.
The 28-year-old had his career-breakthrough performance at the Open two years ago when he reached the quarter-finals where he lost to South Korea’s Chung Hyeon.
GRAND
On a tragic day for world sport, the tennis family came together with a number of players and coaches speaking brilliantly about the impact Kobe Bryant had on them.
SLAM
We love the enthusiasm of the youngsters who went to the trouble of making a poster to support Dominic Thiem but they forgot one important thing … to spell his name right. They unfortunately went with: ‘THEIM TEAM’.
THE WHISPER
Has a local media outlet tested the patience of some of Australia’s tennis stars?