Former Austrian tennis player Dominic Thiem will retire from the sport at the end of the 2024 season, after battling injuries that have plagued the last years of his career. With his announcement, Thiem will end a remarkable chapter in tennis history, having won 17 ATP Tour singles titles and a Grand Slam at the 2020 US Open. Despite being at his peak a few years ago, wrist injuries and other physical setbacks have led to a sharp decline in his form, leading Thiem to decide it’s time to hang up his racket.
Reaching prominence and top performance
Thiem’s journey to fame was marked by early promise and impressive consistency. Since making his debut on the ATP Tour in 2010, he quickly made his presence felt and rose steadily through the ranks until 2016, when he won four titles – two each on clay and hard court – making him one of the sport’s leading contenders on all surfaces. Thiem then won the Masters 1000 title as well as reaching the quarterfinals of consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, cementing his status among the top players.
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Battle against the ‘Big Three’
Thiem made his mark against the iconic Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in 2019-20. In between these years he amassed an impressive 9-3 record against them; pushed Nadal to his limits on clay – his favourite surface – while beating Djokovic and Federer on multiple occasions; his powerful baseline game and relentless pursuit ensured his presence was never too far behind him in the battle for supremacy. His powerful baseline game marked him out as someone who was willing to challenge the status quo players by showing tenacity and an empowering baseline game that would disrupt the status quo…
Grand Slam victory and beginning of injury problems
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Thiem’s career reached its zenith when he won his first Grand Slam tournament at the 2020 US Open. In a dramatic five-set final against Alexander Zverev, Thiem came back from two sets down to win – yet his success also marked his ultimate peak – although soon after, wrist injuries plagued him and several future seasons proved difficult for him.
Struggles with falls and injuries
Thiem struggled to find his rhythm after winning the US Open, publicly acknowledging at the start of the 2021 season that his motivation had waned and injuries had added to his difficulties; during the campaign, he managed just a 9–9 record before entering a lengthy rehabilitation process for his wrist injury.
The following season saw Thiem make only modest progress, winning 16 of 18 matches and dropping out of the top 300 rankings altogether. Although he attempted a comeback in late 2022, his ranking barely improved – hovering around the 100 mark. Thiem himself admitted that his best days may never return.
Thoughts on retirement and final tournament
Thiem made his intentions known in an interview with Der Standard published on January 20, 2024, where he discussed diminishing returns and whether it was worthwhile to continue. “For some time now I’ve been looking for that feeling where tennis matches feel right again – like they used to,” he lamented.
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At the Madrid Open in April, he lost in straight sets to Thanasi Kokkinakis in a qualifier, further raising doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level. When he finally decided to announce his retirement and say goodbye to his home fans at the Vienna Open later that year, his ranking had fallen to 117th in the world.
Legacy and influence on tennis
Dominic Thiem has left behind an incredible legacy despite the untimely end to his career. Known for his aggressive baseline game and ability to challenge some of tennis’ greatest players, he quickly earned the respect of fans by becoming a fan favorite. His victory at the 2020 US Open is a testament to his composure and determination under pressure.
Thiem’s story is an eye-opener for the physical demands of professional tennis and an inspiration to those facing their own obstacles. His open opinions about his physical and mental struggles, as well as a dignified farewell, have earned him lasting respect from within the sports community.
conclusion
Dominic Thiem’s decision to retire is a perfect reminder of the fleeting nature of sports careers and health as it relates to athletic performance. Injuries hindered his pursuit of victory, but his impressive legacy is undiminished as fans around the world remember his accomplishments during his long tennis career and honor his courage in the face of challenges. His name will long live in tennis history as someone who competed tirelessly against some of the best players around the world.
Source: https://th-xuyenmoc.edu.vn
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