Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, is set to retire from professional tennis at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, the city where his tennis journey began. The 31-year-old Austrian has decided to hang up his racquet after a successful career that included 17 tour-level titles and a career-high ranking of world No. 3.
Thiem’s decision to retire was influenced by a right wrist injury that has hampered his performance in recent years. He also expressed a desire to explore new passions and challenges outside of tennis. However, he emphasized that he will not completely leave the sport behind.
Thiem plans to develop the One Shot Cup events, a single-point format competition, into a regular series. He also aims to establish the Thiem Academy to nurture young tennis talent in Austria. Additionally, he is involved in environmental initiatives through Thiem Energy and Thiem View, a company that produces sustainable sunglasses.
Thiem’s peers and fellow competitors paid tribute to his impact on the sport. Denis Shapovalov described him as an “older brother” and a “cool guy to be around.” Thanasi Kokkinakis expressed regret that Thiem did not win more Grand Slams, stating that he was “that good.”
At the UTS Frankfurt event, Thiem received a warm send-off from his fellow players, who hoisted him in the air after his semifinal elimination. The moment was particularly meaningful for Thiem, who expressed his gratitude for the support.
Thiem’s final ATP match is scheduled for Tuesday against Luciano Darderi. On Sunday evening, Vienna organizers celebrated his career with an exhibition match against Alexander Zverev, a One Shot Cup competition, and tributes from Matteo Berrettini, Boris Becker, and others.
Thiem hopes to be remembered as a tennis player with an entertaining style, an inspiration for young athletes, and a contributor to environmental causes. His impact on the sport and beyond is likely to be felt for years to come.
