At his home tournament in Vienna, Dominic Thiem announced his retirement from professional tennis. While fans saw this coming, the news still stirs a sense of sadness, as they remember his passion and the joy he brought to the sport.

Thiem’s career is nothing short of remarkable:

• 2020 US Open champion
• Former world number three
• Wins over Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic at least five times, with a positive record (5-2) against Federer
• Two Roland Garros finals, one Australian Open final
• 2019 Indian Wells Masters champion
• 17 titles in total

Thiem’s US Open victory in 2020 was perhaps his defining moment, even if it remains underrated. His comeback from two sets down against Alexander Zverev in that final showcased his resilience. His comeback from two sets down against Alexander Zverev in that final showcased his resilience.

Often called the “clay prince,” Thiem’s success on clay was stymied by Nadal’s dominance. Yet he excelled on hard courts, winning the US Open and Indian Wells, and coming close in both the ATP Finals and Australian Open.

After the US Open triumph, Thiem’s career was derailed by injuries and setbacks. A wrist injury in 2021 and subsequent struggles kept him off the court for long periods, and despite promising comebacks, 2023 and 2024 showed his difficulty in regaining form. His forehand, once his biggest weapon, never fully returned to its previous power.

Thiem has spoken about his fear of re-injury, and ultimately, prioritizing his health has become more important. Tennis is a marathon, and not everyone makes it to the finish line they envisioned.

Thank you for everything, Dominic. You will be missed.

Cover photo: instagram.com/domithiem