Thiem listens to his body and head
Grand Slam champion ends career at 31
May 10, 2024, 2:30 p.m
Dominic Thiem has slipped to 117th place in the world rankings and the Austrian tennis star can no longer achieve the form he used to. Because not only the body but also the “inner feeling” demands a change, the 30-year-old makes a decision: it’s over at the end of the season.
It had been hinted at for a long time, now it’s official: Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem is ending his successful professional career after the end of the season – at the age of 31. The 2020 US Open winner, who has been suffering from wrist problems for some time, announced this on social media. It was the right decision and he was happy with it.
“I have to tell you very sad, but also very nice news. The 2024 season is my last,” said the 30-year-old in a video message to his fans: “My wrist is not doing as well as it should and I am The second reason is my inner feeling – I thought about it very long and carefully. This decision is the only right one.”
Thiem crowned his extremely successful early career in 2020. In the final of the US Open he beat Alexander Zverev 3-2 – despite being 0-2 down and having cramps in the decisive tiebreak. As a result of his success, he climbed to third place in the world rankings, his best placement to date.
But then things went steeply downhill. Thiem is currently ranked 117th in the world rankings. Due to several interventions on his right wrist, his hitting hand, Thiem never really found his way back on track and was unable to add any more titles to his 17 career titles on the ATP tour. He reached the final of the French Open twice, but was defeated each time by the record winner Rafael Nadal, who was dominant in Paris.
“I’ve been thinking a lot recently about my incredible journey as a tennis player. I’ve won trophies that I never dreamed of,” said Thiem: “All the ups and downs were an incredible experience that I’m very grateful for.” Now the Lower Austrian from Wiener Neustadt wants to look forward: “I’m extremely looking forward to everything that comes now,” said Thiem.