Nicolás Massú is a Chilean tennis player and coach best known for winning dual gold medals in singles and doubles at the 2004 Athens Olympics. These victories provided Chile with its first two Olympic gold medals in any sport. He remains the only man to achieve such a dual-title success since tennis returned to the Olympic program in 1988.
Nicolás Alejandro Massú Fried secured his place in history at the 2004 Athens Olympics by winning gold medals in both singles and doubles tennis. These victories provided Chile with its first two Olympic gold medals in any sport. Massú remains the only man to achieve such a dual-title success at a single Games since the re-introduction of tennis in 1988.
Formative Years
Born on 10 October 1979 in Viña del Mar, Massú began playing tennis at age five under the guidance of his grandfather. He attended The Mackay School before honing his skills at the Valle Dorado academy near Villa Alemana. Further development took place at the Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida and the High Performance Center in Barcelona, Spain, under coaches like Leonardo Zuleta.
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Turning professional in 1997, Massú quickly distinguished himself as the junior year-end doubles world champion and winner of the Orange Bowl. His transition to the ATP Tour included winning Futures and Challenger events in Spain, Ecuador, and Italy. By 2000, he reached his first ATP final in Orlando. His inaugural ATP title victory followed in 2002 at Buenos Aires, where he overcame match points to defeat Agustín Calleri.
The 2004 Olympic Triumph
Massú entered the Athens Olympics following a strong stretch that included winning his fourth ATP title in Kitzbühel. Partnering with Fernando González, he claimed the doubles gold after saving match points in the final. A day later, he defeated Mardy Fish in a five-set singles final to secure his second gold medal. The event organizers subsequently named him the Athlete of the Day.
Later Career and Coaching
Massú achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 9 in 2004. Subsequent seasons were marked by physical challenges, including groin surgery in late 2004, and fluctuating results at Grand Slam tournaments and ATP events. After his retirement as a professional competitor, he transitioned into coaching. From 2019 to 2023, he served as the coach for Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion and former world No. 3.
Fast facts
- Full name: Nicolás Alejandro Massú Fried
- Born: 10 October 1979, Viña del Mar
- Highest ATP singles ranking: World No. 9
- Olympic gold medals: 2 (2004 Athens)
- Professional debut: 1997
- Coached player: Dominic Thiem (2019-2023)
- Education: The Mackay School
- Awards: Chilean Sportsman of the Year (2003, 2004)
Questions readers ask
What is Nicolás Massú's most notable achievement?
He is the only male player to win both singles and doubles gold medals at the same Olympic Games since tennis returned to the competition in 1988.
Which professional tennis player did Massú coach?
He served as the coach for Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, between 2019 and 2023.
