Dominic Thiem says he is at peace with his decision to retire from tennis after playing his final Grand Slam match on Monday.
The former world No.3 was knocked out in the first round of the US Open in straight sets by 13th seed Ben Shelton. Thiem’s farewell to New York comes just four years after he won the tournament by ousting Alexander Zverev. Less than a year after that triumph, he suffered a serious wrist injury which sidelined him for months and ultimately contributed to his decision to retire.
“Once I took the decision this year in March, from this moment on, I was happy about it.” Thiem said of his decision to end his career this year.
“I was also able to kind of prepare already this new chapter of what is coming soon.
“Honestly, I loved playing on tour, and I was very patient about it but I also always really enjoyed being home as much as possible and having a kind of a normal life at home.
“That’s why I think it’s not that difficult for me (to retire) and that’s why I’m also happy with my decision.”
Known by his nickname Domi, Thiem started playing tennis at the age of six and switched to a one-handed backhand five years later. During his career, he won 17 ATP titles and more than $30M in prize money. Between 2016 and 2020 he finished every season in the ATP top 10 and is one of a select few players to have beaten Novak Djokovic five or more times.
Thiem’s career coincided with the era of the Big Three who he has a 16-19 head-to-head record against. Some may wonder what his career might have looked like if the trio wasn’t around. On the other hand, those rivalries have created memories that will last forever.
“I had really legendary matches against the best players in our era, maybe the best players in history.” He said.
“I had matches against them where I was winning, against each of them, but I also had matches against each of them where I didn’t have any chance and where they made me look like almost a beginner. I mean, each of them is unique.”
Thiem, who will turn 31 on September 3rd, admits he is looking forward to what is next for him. In a recent interview with The Athletic, he mentioned the possibility of setting up a sustainable football club. Sustainability is a topic close to his heart. As for tennis, he doesn’t plan to leave the sport completely.
“I want to stay in tennis, of course.” He said.
“We have our academy in Austria and it would be amazing if players from there are coming through one day and also competing in tournaments like US Open or the biggest tournaments in the world. This would be really, really nice, and would be also the goal.”
Thiem is playing two more events before ending his career. He will participate in a UTS event in Frankfurt and then his final ATP tournament will be in Vienna.
