Dominic Thiem’s professional tennis career can be viewed in two distinct phases. The former world No. 3 was a formidable competitor for many years, consistently challenging tennis legends such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, against whom he secured several notable victories in major tournaments. Known for his powerful baseline play, Thiem particularly excelled on his favored red clay, culminating in a career-defining moment in 2020 when he claimed his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Alexander Zverev in a thrilling final.
Following his triumph in New York, expectations soared for Thiem’s future in the sport. However, the subsequent years proved challenging for the Austrian player. The immense effort required to secure his maiden Major title took a toll on him, leading to struggles with motivation and depression in the following year. A serious wrist injury further hampered his career, effectively sidelining him from the highest levels of competition. Despite his efforts to regain his form, Thiem found himself far from his previous standards, often battling to secure wins even in Challenger events. This year, he announced his retirement in front of fans in Vienna, where his final tournament ended in a swift defeat to Luciano Darderi.
Return to Competition in Caen
In a positive turn of events for his supporters, Thiem is set to compete in the Open de Caen, an exhibition tournament scheduled from December 8 to 11 at the Palais des Sports Caen la Mer. Alongside Thiem, the event will feature players such as Ugo Humbert, Alexandre Muller, Cameron Norrie, and Richard Gasquet. Thiem’s first match will be against Gasquet on December 9 at 19:00 local time, with the winner facing Humbert the following day. Notably, this tournament will also mark Gasquet’s final competitive appearance before his retirement at the 2025 French Open.
In a recent appearance on the podcast “A New Way of Being,” Thiem reflected on his journey in professional tennis. He expressed feelings of disillusionment following his US Open victory, stating, “I was living way too much in disillusion. I thought I would be happy if I won this title, and that playing tennis would become easier.” He explained that the euphoria of winning faded quickly, leading to a difficult period as he grappled with the realities of his career.
Thiem acknowledged the fleeting nature of success, remarking, “In some years or decades, probably nobody will really be interested in who won a Grand Slam in 2020. It’s tough, but I have to remind myself to see the bigger picture.”
Reflecting on Regrets
As fans and analysts reflect on Thiem’s career, many speculate on the potential accolades he could have achieved had he not suffered his wrist injury, which has significantly impacted his ability to perform at his best. There is a sense of missed opportunities, particularly in his battles against rising stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Without Nadal’s dominance, Thiem might have had a better chance to secure a title at Roland Garros, where he reached the finals in 2018 and 2019 but fell to the “King of Clay” on both occasions. Additionally, his near victory against Djokovic in the 2020 Australian Open final, where he led for much of the match before losing in the fifth set, underscores the narrow margins that defined his career.
Despite the challenges, there remains hope that Thiem can find peace and fulfillment in his post-tennis life, free from the physical pain that has plagued many athletes, including Juan Martin del Potro, who recently described his injuries as a daily struggle. As Thiem embarks on this new chapter, fans will be eager to see how he navigates the next phase of his journey.
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