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Austrian tennis player Dominic Thiem on Friday, May 10 cleared rumours surrounding around his retirement. In a video message shared on his official Instagram handle, the 30-year-old confirmed that he will be calling curtains to his career at the end of 2024 season.
The Austrian, who reached his career best ranking of World No. 3, said that the persistent wrist injury and general belief that it is the right time to leave the sport. “Hello everybody, it is very important, very sad, very beautiful message that this season will be my last one,” Thiem began his video message.
“I’m going to finish my career at the end of this season and there are some reasons behind it. Firstly, of course, my wrist. It is not the way it should be. The second reason is my inner feeling. I have been thinking about this decision for a very long time,” he further added.
“Of course I was also thinking about my whole journey as a tennis player which was incredible. I had success, I won trophies I really never dreamt of. So the journey was really incredible, all the ups and downs, it was incredible experience which I am so thankful for. But at the end, I came to the conclusion that this decision to end my career at the end of this season is the only right one,” Thiem further added.
Watch Dominic Theim's video confirming his retirement:
To rest his case, he concluded, “I am very happy with it and I am also super excited for everything that’s coming next.” Thiem sustained a wrist injury in 2021 and thus it impacted his career significantly, moving in a downward spiral. The 30-year-old, who has lifted 17 tour-level trophies and last tasted a victory at the Flushing Meadows in 2020, was once a tough challenge for the Big Three. In his prime, the one-time Grand Slam champion has been 5-7 against Djokovic, 5-2 against Roger Federer and 6-10 Rafael Nadal.
Thiem, who is not in Rome due to his ranking above 100, the 117 ranked star player is likely also out of the Roland Garros main draw, where he has finished as a two-time finalist.
