Dominic Thiem will respond to a report that he is retiring from the sport at some stage this week, according to his management.
On Tuesday rumours started to circulate that the former US Open champion is set to bring his career to an end later this year following a report from Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten. The media outlet claimed that sources have told them that Thiem has started to inform his sponsors about his decision to step away from the sport later this season. His last tournament could be at the Vienna Open, which takes place in his home country during October.
30-year-old Thiem has been ranked as high as No.3 in the world and has won 17 ATP titles, including one Grand Slam. He is also a two-time French Open finalist and runner-up at the 2020 Australian Open. Thiem is also one of two players to have beaten every member of the Big Three five or more times. The other player to do so is Andy Murray, who is another person rumoured to be retiring at some stage this season.
Reports of Thiem’s possible retirement follow what has been a tough past few years. In 2021 he suffered a tear in his right wrist which sidelined him from the Tour for nine months. Since returning, he has struggled to regain his best form on a consistent level and is currently ranked 117th in the world. The last time he was in the top 50 was in April 2022.
“I see this as my last chance. If I make it, it can happen quickly,” Thiem told Austrian daily Der Standard in January.
“I’ve been back for two years now since the injury, and I finished 2022 on 100 or so and last year on 98. If I finish the year on 100 again, you have to think about whether it’s still worth it.
“I’ve been in rankings for two years now that I don’t want to be in. Of course that weighs on me … I’ve been chasing the feeling of really being able to play tennis in a match again for a long time. And the way I expect myself to.”
Moritz Thiem, who is Thiem’s brother and manager, issued a brief statement on Wednesday confirming that an announcement will be made shortly. Although he didn’t provide any information about what will be said.
“We will comment on this at the end of the week and give a clear statement so that there is no confusion,” newspaper Kurier quoted Moritz as saying.
Thiem’s most recent match was at the Madrid Open where he lost in the second round of qualifying to Thanasi Kokkinakis. He is not playing in this week’s Italian Masters.
