Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 15, 2024 Austria's Dominic Thiem reacts during his first round match against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem has declared that he will retire from professional tennis later this year, citing a persistent wrist injury as the primary reason behind his decision. The 30-year-old Austrian, who boasts four Grand Slam finals appearances, aims to conclude his career at a home event in Vienna scheduled for October. Thiem expressed a mix of emotions regarding his retirement announcement, describing it as both important and sad yet also beautiful, reflecting on the significance of his journey in the sport.
Thiem’s decision to retire stems from a combination of factors, with his wrist injury posing a significant hurdle to his continued participation in top-level tennis. Despite winning his sole Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open and achieving a career-high ranking of third in the world, Thiem’s trajectory was disrupted by the wrist injury less than a year later. This setback led to a prolonged absence from the ATP Tour and a notable decline in rankings, underscoring the challenges he faced in maintaining his form and consistency.
While Thiem made efforts to overcome his injury setbacks and return to competition, including participating in recent events, he ultimately concluded that retiring at the end of this season is the best decision for his long-term well-being. Reflecting on his remarkable journey in tennis, Thiem expressed gratitude for the success and trophies he achieved, acknowledging that his decision to retire is a culmination of careful consideration and introspection. Thiem’s retirement marks the end of an era in tennis, but his contributions to the sport will be remembered and celebrated by fans worldwide.
