Dominic Thiem, the former US Open champion, faced a first-round defeat in his final Grand Slam appearance on Monday. Thiem, who announced his retirement earlier, lost to No. 13 seed Ben Shelton in straight sets at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match marked an emotional moment for Thiem, as it allowed him to bid farewell to the sport in front of a packed crowd, unlike his 2020 victory in an empty stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thiem, a former world No. 3, had a successful career marred by wrist injuries that impacted his performance in recent years. Despite his struggles, he managed to secure his only Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open by defeating Alexander Zverev in a thrilling final. Thiem's victory made him the first man since 1949 to win the US Open after losing the first two sets.
The Austrian player's career highlights include multiple appearances in Grand Slam finals and victories over tennis legends like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. However, a wrist injury in 2021 hindered his form and prevented him from returning to his peak level of play.
Thiem expressed gratitude towards the fans and opponents as he acknowledged the challenges he faced during his career. Despite the setbacks, he remains involved in tennis through his academy in Austria and plans to participate in two more events before retiring officially in October.
Reflecting on his retirement, Thiem mentioned that he would miss the exhilarating feeling of winning a significant match, describing it as a unique high that cannot be replicated outside of tennis. While he is at peace with his decision to retire, he acknowledges that certain aspects of the sport will be irreplaceable.
