Thiem plays last match of tennis career at Vienna Open

Dominic Thiem has played the final match of his tennis career, with the one-time Grand Slam champion losing 7-6 (6), 6-2 to Luciano Darderi in the first round of the Vienna Open in Austria on Tuesday.

The Austrian announced that he would retire at his home tournament after more than two-and-a-half years outside of the world’s top 50.

Thiem is one of only two players to defeat Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer five times each, and reached a peak of No.3 in the world in 2020 — the same year he won the US Open.

However, a wrist injury suffered the following year proved devastating for the 31-year-old’s career, as he was unable to return to the level that regularly had him in the top lines of outright betting at tennis bookmakers.

Following his loss to Darderi in Vienna — where he held a set point in the opener before falling away in the second — Thiem was honoured with a ceremony that included him officially hanging up his racquet.

Earlier in the week, fellow players paid tribute to the 17-time ATP title winner.

“First and foremost, I’m losing a friend on the tour, but of course we also played the greatest matches together,” said Alexander Zverev, who Thiem defeated in the 2020 US Open final.

“But it’s a ‘see you again’, not a ‘goodbye’.

“I hope he gets bored in a year or two and comes back to the tour again.”

Pre-recorded messages from the ‘Big Three’ were shown as well, with Federer praising the Austrian’s character in particular.

“You were always a super guy, also off the court, always fair,” he said.

“Your friendship was important on the tour. We always got on well, and it was great for me.

“All the best with the future, and huge congratulations on your unbelievable career, Dominic.

“I am sure we will see each other soon.”

Thiem intends to take a break from professional tennis in all capacities, but he will be running an academy and looks forward to passing on some of his knowledge to up-and-coming juniors.

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