Former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem formally made his farewell from tennis on Tuesday when the 31-year-old Austrian misplaced a first-round match on the Erste Financial institution Open to Luciano Darderi in Vienna.
The homecountry followers gave Thiem top-level assist however Darderi of Italy posted a 7-6 (6), 6-2 victory. After the match, Thiem acquired a thunderous ovation and his racket was positioned in a glass case.
“I’ve had so many good goodbyes in the previous couple of months, however at this time I need to say thanks for all of the sensational years,” Thiem stated to the gang after the match. “I’m solely part of this profession. The entire journey has been an absolute dream and I would like this afternoon, this night to be yours. I could not have imagined it any higher. Thanks!”
The previous World No. 3 by no means regained his type after a serious proper wrist damage in 2021. He beat Alexander Zverev to win the 2020 U.S. Open, twice misplaced to Rafael Nadal within the French Open last (2018-19) and likewise misplaced to Novak Djokovic within the Australian Open last in 2020.
A winner of 17 ATP singles titles throughout his 14 professional seasons, Thiem was ranked 318th coming into the match with Darderi.
Thiem led 4-2 within the opening set earlier than Darderi recovered to win it in a tiebreaker. Darderi then cruised within the second set, ending off Thiem with a stable forehand earlier than greeting him on the internet to increase his personal congratulations.
Thiem had edges of 11-6 in aces and 29-21 in winners however Darderi made fewer unforced errors (16 to 25) and received 14 of 15 internet factors (93.3 p.c). He additionally received 82.5 p.c (33 of 40) of his first-serve factors.
After asserting his retirement in Could, Thiem lately advised ATP.com that he has no regrets.
“Once I suppose again on my profession, the principle feelings are actually huge gratitude for every part I used to be capable of expertise,” Thiem stated. “I used to be very fortunate to remain wholesome (most of) the time to have the ability to notice mainly all my goals. And yeah, I used to be by no means anticipating a profession like that after I was younger. All I wished was to be an expert tennis participant, no matter comes with it.”
–Subject Degree Media
