Dominic Thiem, the two-time French Open runner-up, bid farewell to Roland Garros on Wednesday with a second-round qualifying loss to Otto Virtanen. The 30-year-old Austrian, who announced his retirement earlier this month, received a standing ovation and chants of "Thank you Domi" during a farewell ceremony after his 6-2, 7-5 defeat.
Thiem, who reached the final in Paris in 2018 and 2019, struggled to regain his top form after a wrist injury in 2021. Despite his recent struggles, he expressed gratitude for his time at the French Open. "I've really enjoyed every single year of it," he said.
Thiem's career highlight came in 2020 when he won the US Open, becoming the first man to overcome a two-set deficit in the final in 71 years. He also reached the final of the Australian Open that year and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 3.
However, his wrist injury in 2021 derailed his progress. He was sidelined for nine months and has struggled to regain his previous level of play. Despite his retirement announcement, Thiem remains optimistic about the future. "I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life," he said.
Thiem's retirement marks the end of an era for Austrian tennis. He has been a role model for young players and has inspired a generation of fans. His legacy will live on as one of the most successful Austrian tennis players of all time.
Tags: #DominicThiem, #FrenchOpen, #Retirement, #Tennis, #Farewell
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