Dominic Thiem Bids Farewell to Tennis After Memorable U.S. Open Encore

Dominic Thiem, renowned Austrian tennis star, reflected on his career's highs and lows as he played his final U.S. Open match. He expressed gratitude to fans for their support and shared his plans for retirement. Despite wrist injuries and his final decision to retire, Thiem cherished his remarkable career achievements.

Dominic Thiem, the Austrian tennis star, never heard the roaring New York crowd when he clinched his sole Grand Slam title at the 2020 U.S. Open. With Arthur Ashe Stadium nearly empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thiem's historic victory was witnessed by only a limited audience.

On Monday, Thiem's Grand Slam journey concluded with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 first-round loss to 13th seed Ben Shelton. Despite the defeat, the match was significant for Thiem, allowing him to play before a packed stadium on the very court where he achieved his career's pinnacle moment. 'To say thank you to all of you,' Thiem addressed the fans, expressing his gratitude.

Thiem, who turns 31 next week, has battled wrist injuries for years and previously announced that this would be his final season. Granted a wild card by the U.S. Tennis Association, Thiem played his tenth match of the season. Despite his injuries and the ups and downs of his career, Thiem reflected positively on his journey and expressed his intent to stay involved in tennis, even beyond retirement.

(With inputs from agencies.)