LUANCO, August 7, 2025

When the sun slowly sets over the Cantabrian Sea, spectators take their seats on the packed beachside stands, and the last sea breeze wafts through the alleys of the fishing village, a sporting event begins in Luanco that is truly one of a kind. The BDO Tenis Playa Luanco is not an ordinary tournament – it’s a festival infused with Asturian identity.

These days, tennis is once again being played on the Playa de La Ribera – on real sand, where the waves still roll in during the morning and the court is prepared in the afternoon. Here, the tides dictate the match schedule. The small coastal town, home to just 6,000 residents and located about 50 minutes from the Asturian capital of Oviedo, gets all dressed up for the occasion. Storefronts are decorated with tennis-themed displays. In the evening, more than 2,000 spectators gather to cheer as eight professional players compete under floodlights in one of the most spectacular settings of the international summer tennis season.

Luanco, Asturias. #TenisPlaya #Luanco pic.twitter.com/SskLxE63D7

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) August 7, 2025

Thiem Makes His Debut in Luanco

What began in 1971 with a group of friends, a fishing net, and lots of improvisation has evolved over the decades into a globally unique event. It’s not just about sport here, but also about the Asturian way of life—complete with local music and freshly poured sidra (cider). Right in the middle of it all: tennis stars like Dominic Thiem.

The Grand Slam champion from Austria made a successful debut on Wednesday evening in front of a sold-out crowd, defeating Spain’s Bernabé Zapata Miralles 6-4, 7-5. He will face Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the final on Thursday evening.

Right before midnight, Dominic Thiem wins his @TenisLuanco debut against Bernabe Zapata Miralles and reaches the final in Luanco.#TenisPlaya #Luanco pic.twitter.com/DXA7Qm77jC

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) August 6, 2025

We met with Dominic Thiem after his semifinal for an interview.

Tennis TourTalk: You’re playing at Tenis Playa Luanco for the first time. What was it like on court today?

Dominic Thiem: I really enjoyed it today. When I first saw the court online, I was already super excited about the event. The stadium was packed with 2,300 fans and it was just a great evening. When you’re not playing in front of a big crowd every day anymore, you start to appreciate these moments again.

What’s special about playing on sand?

It’s very unusual. Of course, there are quite a few bad bounces. But it’s truly a one-of-a-kind story because you can only play a few hours in the morning and again in the late evening. The idea behind it was brilliant. Turning a bit of beach tennis into a full tournament with current and former players is something really special.

How did your participation come about?

I know Bernabé Zapata from our time in the German Bundesliga in Mannheim. He reached out and asked if I’d be interested in playing. As soon as I saw the venue, I was all in—and then things came together quickly.

This afternoon you visited a local sidrería and had an introduction to Asturias’ national drink. What did you take away from that?

I already knew the special way they pour cider into the glasses from when I played the ATP tournament in Gijón two years ago. But it’s always great to experience the traditions of a country or a region again.

Have you had the chance to explore the region a bit more?

During tournament weeks, time is always limited and you usually don’t get to see much. But once, when I needed treatment for my wrist, I visited a doctor in Santander, in Cantabria, and we drove a bit along the north coast of Spain. That gave me a pretty good impression of the landscape. It’s really beautiful here, and also quite different from the rest of Spain.

What’s your current situation like? What are your main projects at the moment?

My main project right now is Thiem Energy. It’s something completely different from tennis, and that gives it a special appeal. I learn something new every day. And then there’s also the academy. Those are the two pillars that are currently shaping my life. There’s a lot to do, but I’m really enjoying both. I’m very happy with how everything is going.

Are you considering being more actively involved in tennis again?

I’ll definitely play a few exhibitions here and there, but right now I’m happy with how things are. Of course, I’m often at the academy, training with young players. I want to help them make the leap from juniors to professional tennis. But being back on tour full-time, that’s not something I’m planning at the moment.

What advice would you give a 16-year-old Dominic Thiem who’s just starting out on the pro tour?

I’d tell him to enjoy the whole journey, even though that’s not always easy. It’s an incredible adventure when you come onto the tour as a young player. You get to see amazing places and meet great people. And of course, you should give your best every single day. You owe that to yourself and to the sport. That’s what I’d say to my younger self.

The US Open is the next major event. Your win there was five years ago. Do you still get that special feeling when the last Grand Slam of the year comes around?

New York is always a fantastic city. But when I look back at the last few years, it’s hard to compare them with the Covid-affected event from five years ago. Back then, we played in front of empty stands. The real US Open is completely different. The energy and atmosphere on the grounds have always been something special. Plus the ride back into Manhattan, and being able to enjoy the city a bit, that’s the real US Open. That’s something you just can’t compare with 2020. Of course, it was an unforgettable experience and a very special win for me, but it didn’t reflect the tournament’s real spirit.

Thank you for the interview and enjoy the final in Luanco.

Interview: Florian Heer