Thousands of dedicated fans braved torrential rain in southern Germany to witness the final match of one of the Tennis Channel Bundesliga's most celebrated stars, Dominic Thiem. The former US Open champion returned to TK GW Mannheim for a poignant farewell before his retirement later this year.
The Bundesliga boasts a reputation as the world's premier tennis league, attracting a constellation of Top 100 players. Tennis legends such as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have graced the German club courts. Thiem, a fan favorite, has been instrumental in Mannheim's three Bundesliga titles between 2018 and 2021.
His final appearance was a bittersweet affair. Despite a singles defeat, Thiem rallied to secure a doubles victory, earning a point for his former club. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, with ballkids, players, staff, and fans alike expressing their admiration.
"Thank you, that's the biggest word I can say," Thiem said, his voice filled with emotion. "And also a thank you to the fans who stayed so long because the weather was difficult."
"I'm very emotional. It really was a wonderful farewell. Of course one of the most special tournaments I've had in my life, the home tournament where so many beautiful things happened."
Earlier this summer, Thiem announced his decision to retire from the ATP Tour in 2024, citing a persistent wrist injury and a desire to pursue other passions.
"I want to give you a very important, very sad, but also very beautiful message: The 2024 season will be my last," he said in a statement. "I will end my career at the end of this season."
"There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, my wrist is obviously not the way it should be and it's not the way I wanted it to be. The second reason is my inner feeling. I thought about this decision for a very long time. I thought about it very carefully."
The Tennis Channel Bundesliga has been one of the few tournaments Thiem has participated in this year. After his recent return to Kitzbühel, where he triumphed in 2019, Thiem will decide on his participation in the US Open. He plans to join Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Frankfurt before making his final appearance at his home tournament in Vienna.
Tags: #DominicThiem, #TennisChannelBundesliga, #Retirement, #Farewell, #TennisLegends
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