🇦🇹🎾 Tennis fans worldwide shed a virtual tear as Austria’s Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, waved goodbye to his career on home soil at the Vienna Open. The 31-year-old fell 6-7 (6-8), 2-6 to Italy’s Luciano Darderi in a bittersweet match that marked the end of a rollercoaster journey.
Thiem, once ranked world No. 3, battled a persistent wrist injury since 2021 but fought through pain to deliver one final show for his fans. Despite a nail-biting first-set tiebreak, the Austrian star couldn’t keep up with the rising 22-year-old Darderi, who clinched victory in the second set with ruthless precision. 🏆
🌟 Overcome with emotion, Thiem thanked his supporters: \"The whole journey was an absolute dream.\" The packed crowd of nearly 10,000 fans erupted in applause, honoring the athlete who brought glory to Austria during his peak—including that iconic 2020 US Open win against Alexander Zverev.
📉 Thiem’s career, which once soared with 17 titles, faced a steep decline post-injury. His current ranking of 318th starkly contrasts his former heights, but his legacy as a Grand Slam trailblazer remains untarnished. 🕊️
As the curtains close, fans and fellow players alike celebrate Thiem’s grit, charisma, and unforgettable moments on the court. Here’s to the end of an era! 👋
