Austria's Dominic Thiem, a former US Open champion, was swept aside 6-7 (6-8), 2-6 by Luciano Darderi at the Vienna Open on Tuesday, ending his career on home ground after battling a long-term wrist injury.
Dominic Thiem's career has come to an end 🥲
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 22, 2024
Our 2018 & 2019 runner-up played his last match in Vienna today. Wishing you the best for this new chapter of your life Domi 🧡 pic.twitter.com/qfgBLM4bDf
Earlier this year, Thiem had announced his retirement from tennis, giving up on his fruitless struggle to fully recover from the injury he sustained in 2021.
Dominic Thiem gets one last roar from the crowd in Vienna as he says goodbye to tennis.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 22, 2024
This man’s tennis inspired so many people.
He made them smile.
He made them believe.
Take a bow, Domi. 🥹
pic.twitter.com/lQQzidWONn
On Tuesday evening, his Italian rival, 22-year-old Darderi, did not seem to dominate at first, winning the first set in a tie-break.
But the world number 42 gained steam as the match progressed, beating an ever more loudly grunting Thiem 6-2 in the second set.
"I would really like to thank you for all the sensational years, because of course I am only a part of this all, the whole career," Thiem told the cheering crowd after the match.
🥹🇦🇹And with that: Dominic Thiem’s career is over.
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) October 22, 2024
🏆 1 Major title
🥈 3-time major finalist/runner-up
🌎 World #3
🇪🇸 One of only TWO players to beat Nadal 4+ times on clay
🇪🇸🇷🇸🇨🇭 SIXTEEN wins against the Big 3
Farewell, Domi 🫡 pic.twitter.com/vjnt3r5OYf
"A huge thank you to everyone for their support over the years. The whole journey was an absolute dream," he said to his almost 10 000 fans, which celebrated him with standing ovations.
No we really can’t cope with this 🥹#DankeDomi | @ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/bCI7p0c1Om
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 22, 2024
Former world No 3 Thiem, who is currently ranked 318th, needed a wildcard to play at the ATP 500 in Vienna.
The 31-year-old Austrian's career has nose-dived since his crowning moment in 2020 when he beat Alexander Zverev in the Covid-affected US Open final behind closed doors.
Back then it appeared that he was finally poised to challenge the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
However, his career took a turn for the worse in mid-2021 when he suffered serious ligament damage competing in Mallorca, and was forced to sit out the rest of the year.
He played just two Slams in 2022 and his ranking fell to outside the top 100 for the first time in over a decade.
Heading into his final ATP tournament on Tuesday, Thiem, who went pro in 2011, had won just two main draw matches all year.
Throughout his career, Thiem won 17 career titles and more than $30 million in prize money.
Over the weekend, current and former tennis players including Zverev – who Thiem faced one last time for fun on court – and Boris Becker paid tribute to the Austrian in a farewell party attended by thousands of fans at Vienna's Stadthalle.
Video messages by Djokovic, Nadal and Federer were shown on Sunday, with many praising Thiem for his good vibes and camaraderie.
It's not goodbye. It's see you later 💙#DankeDomi | @ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/keOAKBtOgJ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 22, 2024
The memories. The matches. The moments... Thank you for it all Domi ❤️#DankeDomi | @domithiem pic.twitter.com/K6IJKn3oXZ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 22, 2024