In 2020 he won his first and only Grand Slam triumph. Four years later, Dominic Thiem says goodbye to the big tennis stage.
Vienna – Over, over, that’s it: A really great person leaves the tennis stage – at just 31 years old. Dominic Thiem has ended his career after being eliminated from the ATP tournament in Vienna. He lost in the first round against the Italian Luciano Darderi 7:6 (8:6), 6:2. His farewell was planned long in advance – and yet it became extremely emotional for the Austrian.
Dominic Thiem ends his tennis career at just 31 years old
Before his final exit, Thiem already had his “soft farewell” in Vienna – with Alexander Zverev as his show match opponent and Boris Becker as one of the prominent guests, the tennis superstar from Lower Austria has already said goodbye to the audience. In front of 5,000 spectators, the 2020 US Open winner first played a set against Zverev, which he won 6-3, befitting the occasion.
The duel was reminiscent of Thiem’s Grand Slam success four years ago. In the final in New York, the “Dominator” (based on his first name) held his own against the Hamburg native despite being 2-0 down. The US Open title was the greatest success of his tennis career.
Out for the “Dominator”: Tennis superstar resigns – Zverev loses “a friend”
Thiem’s farewell is also an emotional story for Zverev: “First and foremost, I’m losing a friend on the tour, but of course we also played the biggest matches together,” he said: “But it’s a goodbye and not a goodbye. I hope that in a year or two he will get bored and come back to the tour.”
Becker was also on Center Court for a fun competition following the show set. This was followed by the honor with a video review of Thiem’s career, recordings of congratulations from Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. After his triumph at the US Open and a hand injury a year later, Thiem was never able to build on his great days. “My wrist is around 70 years old and not 31,” said the Lichtenwörther recently at the Sporthilfe gala in Vienna. “It would certainly have been nicer to play until 35. But it is what it is. You can also see it from the other side: an injury could have occurred in your early 20s. So at 31 I’m pretty well served anyway.”
Dominic Thiem: “Tennis – you have given me more than I ever dreamed of”
After his final exit, Thiem, who is dating Munich-born show celebrity Lili Paul-Roncalli, wrote on Instagram: “A huge thank you to all my fans for their years of support. (…) Even if it was the right decision, I will miss this moment and the atmosphere very much. It’s been an incredible journey, full of ups and downs, and I’m grateful for every experience! A special thank you goes to my family, my trainers, friends and partners! And of course you, Tennis – you have given me more than I ever dreamed of.”
Shortly before Thiem, another tennis legend announced the end of his career. (mind)
