WATCH - Dominic Thiem will play another event after his retirement

11/27/2024 04:30 PM

Dominic Thiem's career can be divided into two parts. The former Austrian player was a top player for many years and also posed a serious threat to legends such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, to whom he inflicted several defeats in major tournaments.

Thiem had a very powerful play from the baseline and was able to put anyone in trouble, especially on his beloved red clay. The Austrian reached the peak of his career in 2020, when he finally won a Grand Slam title at the US Open by defeating Sascha Zverev in a tension-ridden final.

After that triumph in New York, it seemed that Dominic's career could become even more memorable and full of successes. However, fate was mocking with the former Top 10. That huge effort to win his first and only Major title was fatal for Thiem, who struggled to find the right motivation again and also suffered from depression in the following year.

A serious wrist injury essentially ended his career at the highest level. The 2020 US Open champion has tried in every way to become competitive again, but his last few years have been a heartbreak.

'Domi' remained very far from the levels he was used to, he no longer felt the same sensations as in the past and had to fight to win some matches even in Challenger tournaments. For these reasons, Thiem decided to retire this year in front of his fans in Vienna. His last tournament was not memorable, as he was eliminated immediately by Luciano Darderi.

However, a few hours ago a very good news arrived for fans. The former world number 3 will participate in the Open de Caen, an exhibition tournament that will take place from 8 to 11 December at the 'Palais des Sports Caen la mere'. In addition to Thiem there will also be Ugo Humbert, Alexandre Muller, Cameron Norrie and Richard Gasquet.

‼️La légende THIEM à l’Open de Caen‼️ Nous sommes très heureux d’accueillir pour la première fois sur notre court de l’Open de Caen, Dominic Thiem.🎾 Actuellement 17 titres en sa possession, dont 1 en Master 1000 et 5 ATP 500. pic.twitter.com/4Xl5cyUEUr

— Open de Caen (@OpenCaen) November 26, 2024

Gasquet will be Dominic's first opponent on Monday 9 December at 19 (local time). The winner of this match will face the French Humbert the next day. Gasquet's career is also very close to its conclusion, as the French veteran will play his last tournament at the 2025 French Open.

On a recent edition of ‘A New Way of Being’ podcast, the former World No.3 discussed his journey into professional tennis: “I was living way too much in disillusion. I was like, I’m going to be happy if I win this title. Playing tennis and playing on the tour will be easier forever.

I was living way too much in disillusion when I won the US Open. It worked for like four or five weeks as I played in euphoria, and also the ATP finals, I played like I was in euphoria.

Then after that, I realized, actually, nothing, nothing changed. This ecstasy stopped after the finals when I went on holiday and when I came to relax a bit.

Then, all the high was gone. Then there, there came a really difficult period, because then, I mean, all those emotions, all those high activities in my head, they were just gone.”

Thiem also added: “In some years or in some decades, probably nobody will really be interested in who won a Grand Slam in the year 2020 or who won the Premier League in the year 2010.

It’s very tough, but sometimes I really have to tell this to myself to see the bigger picture and to have like or to take all the other things apart.

So that’s very important, I think, as well, to never lose, like the big picture out of sight.”

Many wonder how much Dominic could have won if he hadn't had that serious wrist injury, which no longer allowed him to play his best tennis. It would have been nice to see Thiem compete with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who are currently dominating the men's tour.

Without Rafa Nadal, the Austrian would have had a much better chance of winning at least one title at Roland Garros. Thiem reached the final in Paris in 2018 and 2019, but he always had to bow to the King of Clay. 'Domi' also reached the final at the 2020 Australian Open, dominating Nole Djokovic for long stretches of the match but losing in the fifth set.

The former world number 3 deserved better luck, but his very exhausting game damaged his body irreparably. Everyone's hope is that Thiem can have a peaceful and peaceful life without pain, unlike Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentine recently revealed that his injuries have seen his daily life a real hell.