Thiem bows out of tennis with farewell Vienna match

Dominic Thiem wrapped up his tennis career with an emotional loss on Tuesday at his home ATP Vienna event, with the Austrian eliminated in the first round 7-6 (6), 6-2 by Italian Luciano Darderi.

The 31-year-old Thiem, 2020 US open champion, received a sanding ovation at the Stadthalle as he said goodbye to tennis after three years of wrist injury torture which finally forced him to give up the sport.

“I want to use the opportunity to say thank you to all the fans who have been there for years – here in the hall and at home in front of the television,” the 31-year-old said.

“I wanted to give the audience another good match and show some of my best shots.”

The two-time Roland Garros runner-up added: “I was never such an emotional guy, and it was the same today. Regardless of whether it was a big win or a bitter defeat.”

The former ATP No. 3 and winner of 17 career titles was proud of his closing effort.

“I was fully in the match in the first set, fully in the zone, which I unfortunately haven’t always managed in Vienna in recent years. 

“But of course the basic level is no longer as it used to be. But I got the maximum out of the first set.” 

Main photo:- Dominic Thiem farewell by ATPTour.com