“The 2024 season will be my last. » With these few words, the Austrian Dominic Thiem announced the end of his career very soon, this Friday on his social networks, at only 30 years old. The winner of the 2020 US Open explains in particular that he never recovered from his right wrist injury contracted in 2021. Since then, the former world No. 3 has not returned to the level which allowed him to win a Grand Slam and play three other Major finals (two at Roland Garros and one at the Australian Open).
Facing the camera, Thiem explains at length the reasons which pushed him to say stop. “My wrist is not how it should be and how I would like it to be. I have been thinking about this decision for a long time, I thought about it very carefully. I of course also thought about my career in tennis, which was incredible. I had success and won trophies I never dreamed of. I am very grateful for this experience. But I came to the conclusion that the decision to end my career this year is the only right decision. »
17
The Austrian won 17 titles during his career, including ten on clay, his favorite surface.
Ranked today in 117th place in the world, the Austrian has been trying since 2022 to return to the forefront. It was in Mallorca, on grass, that his career changed in 2021. Affected ligaments in his right wrist, Thiem had to draw a line under the end of the year and remained away from the circuit for nine months. Returning to the courts in March 2022, he suffered a series of defeats in the weeks that followed and the rest was a painful process full of disillusionment. There was this final, played at home in Kitzbühel last summer, but the player was never able to return to the top.
US Open 2020, the Grand Slam coronation
Retirement had seemed in the air for some time and the Austrian press even reported a few days ago about the end of his career in Vienna in October. Thiem did not confirm the information in his communication but it would be a nice way to say goodbye in front of his audience. He won the tournament in 2019 and the next one on his record is none other than… the US Open.
This headless final at Flushing Meadows against Alexander Zverev will therefore remain the pinnacle of his time on the circuit. Trailing by two sets and a break, Thiem overthrew the German after a totally crazy scenario (Zverev had also served for the match in the 5th set) and in front of empty stands due to the epidemic of coronavirus. At the time of this coronation, he had already been around for several years but had been blocked by Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros (twice) and by Novak Djokovic in Australia. The latter praised this week to the Austrian agency APA his “incredible one-handed backhand, his power and his intensity”.
