Match the Reaction
Thiem’s time in New York ends at the site of his greatest success
The Austrian played his final Grand Slam match on Monday at the US Open
August 26, 2024
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Dominic Thiem plays Ben Shelton on Monday at the US Open.
By ATP staff
In silence about his impending retirement and the end of his US Open career, Dominic Thiem was happy to sign off in New York with a final appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday afternoon.
“Everything was a little different,” Thiem said in a post-match press conference after his loss to Ben Shelton. “I tried to enjoy it, I tried to soak up everything in this stadium. It was really fun. I think I’ve been able to focus on the game, but I don’t have that level of focus anymore to go head-to-head with players like Ben.
“I knew this before, so I tried to enjoy it as much as possible, but still, I was focused on the game very well.”
New York will forever love Domi ❤️
2020 champion @domithiem emotional farewell to the US Open 🥹@uvule | #USOVulapic.twitter.com/Zfx5KJlx5s
– ATP Tour (@atptour) August 26, 2024
Thiem will finish his career later this year as the owner of a record of 23-9 at the US Open. That combination includes the Austrian’s career highlight: his run to his only Grand Slam title on the 2020 hard-court schedule.
“When I first came here as a champion, I just played in the fourth round, and that gave me momentum for all the years to come,” said Thiem, when asked to reflect on his US Open career. “I think so. If you have really good memories or a good start to something, this gives you good vibes for the future. It was like that, because the only really bad year I had here was 2019, when I lost in the first round and when I wasn’t 100 percent healthy.
“Other than that, I almost had the most outstanding year. 2017 [five-set match] against [Juan Martin del Potro]at the time that was a really hard loss to deal with. But now, the legendary game, which I really like to remember, then becomes a milestone. [five-set 2018 quarter-final] and Rafa [Nadal] it was good.
“But still, 2020 is above everything, and above everything else in my tennis career.”
Thiem will conclude his career at home in October at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. The former No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, whose peak playing time was cut short by a long-term hand injury, is ready for his next chapter.
“I’m happy. I’ve been struggling for years, especially since I couldn’t get back to my level,” said Thiem. “But when I made this decision this year in March, from this moment on, I was happy with it.
“Obviously, I was also able to prepare for this new chapter that will come soon. Honestly, I always loved playing on Tour, and I was very patient about it, but honestly, I always really enjoyed being home and having, as much as possible, a normal life at home.
“That’s why I’m looking forward to this now, as normal life is coming. That’s why I see that it’s not that difficult for me, that’s why I’m also happy with my decision.”
