Dominic Thiem bids farewell to tennis at the Vienna Open, marking the end of a stellar career that saw him conquer the US Open, battle the sport’s elite, and capture the hearts of fans worldwide.
Dominic Thiem, a former US Open champion and one of Austria's most celebrated sports figures, has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis after a distinguished 31-year career. Thiem made his announcement following a straight-sets defeat by Italy's Luciano Darderi in the first round of the Vienna Open. Throughout his career, Thiem competed in approximately 100 high-level matches with the sport's elite, capturing a prestigious Grand Slam title along the way.
Thiem had announced his plan to retire after his home tournament in Vienna, but his departure happened slightly earlier than expected as he bid farewell to a career where he reached as high as world number three. Darderi defeated Thiem 7-6 (8-6), 6-2. Even though Thiem showed spirited resistance in the first set, the veteran acknowledged that his body was no longer capable of performing at its best. "It hurts," Thiem said after the match. "But at the same time, I was hitting some forehands, especially in the second set, and they weren't even reaching the net. So, it was the right decision."
The Vienna Open holds a special place for Thiem, who claimed the title in 2019, and fans filled the stadium to say goodbye to their local hero. After the match, the crowd showed their respect for Thiem by waving placards with the Austrian flag and the words 'Danke Dominic' ('Thank you, Dominic'). He wanted to give back even more and show his affection for the event by placing his racquet in a glass case to be auctioned for charity after this emotional match.
"I have had so many beautiful goodbyes in the past few months, but today I wanted to express my gratitude to all of you for these incredible years," Thiem said in his emotional speech on the court. "I am just a part of this career. The entire journey has been a complete dream. I couldn't imagine it any better." A special ceremony in Vienna on Sunday celebrated his career, and Thiem played an exhibition match against Alexander Zverev, the player he beat to win his 2020 US Open title.
That victory marked the peak of Thiem's career, as he became the first male player born in the 1990s to claim a Grand Slam title. Despite his remarkable achievements, Thiem's journey wasn't always smooth. A year after his Grand Slam success in New York, he suffered a severe wrist injury that sidelined him for 10 months, causing his ranking to drop below 350. Although he climbed back into the top 100 last season, he was unable to return to the exceptional form that had distinguished him as a superior competitor.
Thiem was especially proud of his recent remarkable victories against tennis's 'Big Three'—Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. In an Instagram post, Federer stated: 'An illustrious career comes to an end. Congratulations, Domi. No matter the surface, you always found a way to beat me with your thunderous backhands. But more importantly, you did it with grace and sportsmanship.' As Thiem bids farewell to the tennis world, he carries with him the legacy of some of the sport's greats. His humble nature has made him beloved by everyone, marking the end of a significant era in Austrian tennis.
