Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem recently announced his retirement from tennis at the age of 31 after suffering a straight-set defeat by Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the first round of the Vienna Open. Thiem, who had previously won the Vienna title in 2019, expressed his emotions after the match, stating that while it was a painful decision, he believed it was the right one.
Thiem reflected on the loss, mentioning the difficulty of letting go of the feelings and emotions he experienced on the court, especially during the first set of the match. Despite the pain of retiring, he acknowledged that his performance in the second set indicated that it was time to step away from the sport.
The Austrian received a heartfelt tribute from the crowd at the Vienna Open, with fans displaying cards showing the Austrian flag and the message “Danke Dominic” (“Thank you Dominic”). In return, Thiem expressed his gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career and the warm goodbyes he has experienced in recent months.
During a ceremony in Vienna, Thiem played an exhibition set against Alexander Zverev, his opponent in the final of the 2020 US Open, which he won. Thiem’s career highlights include winning 17 ATP Tour titles, reaching the finals of the French Open in 2018 and 2019, and finishing as the runner-up in the Australian Open in 2020. He also secured victories against tennis giants like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Thiem faced setbacks in his career, including a wrist injury that sidelined him for 10 months and caused his ranking to drop outside the top 350. Despite his return to the top 100 last year, he struggled to regain his top form, leading to his decision to retire at the end of this season. Tennis legend Roger Federer paid tribute to Thiem on social media, praising his accomplishments on the court and his sportsmanship throughout his career.
As Thiem bids farewell to professional tennis, fans and fellow players alike are celebrating his contributions to the sport and wishing him the best in his future endeavors. His legacy as a dedicated and talented athlete will continue to inspire the next generation of tennis players.
