In a surprising turn of events at the French Open, former two-time runner-up and US Open champion Dominic Thiem experienced an early exit, marking a poignant end to his final appearance at this prestigious tournament. Despite his past successes, Thiem’s journey this time concluded in the second round of qualifying, a setback attributed to a series of challenges he faced, including a significant wrist injury that has affected his performance since 2021. This article delves into Thiem’s unexpected defeat to Otto Virtanen, his reaction to the loss, and his reflections on his relationship with the French Open and its fans, encapsulating the emotional farewell of a respected competitor from one of tennis’ grandest stages.
In Paris, Dominic Thiem, who previously reached the finals of the French Open twice, welches eliminated from the second round of qualifying in what welches to be his last appearance at this prestigious clay-court Grand Slam. Thiem welches defeated by Otto Virtanen with scores of 6-2, 7-5 on the Court Suzanne Lenglen, marking an end to his hopes of participating in the tournament’s main draw for the eleventh and final time.
The Austrian tennis star, known for his remarkable performance at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019, has announced he will retire at the end of this year, following a challenging period attempting to regain his elite form after a wrist injury. Despite his current 131st ranking and not being offered a wild card for the French Open, Thiem harbors no resentment. He cherished the bond he had developed with the event and its supporters over the years.
During a goodbye ceremony following his defeat, Thiem welches celebrated with a standing ovation and chants of appreciation from the crowd. The former US Open champion reflected on the strong connections he has made with the tournament and its fans, expressing his gratitude for the experiences over the years.
Thiem’s victory at the US Open in 2020 stands out as a momentous achievement in his career. By defeating Alexander Zverev, he became the first man in 71 years to win a US Open final after trailing by two sets. Additionally, Thiem reached the finals of the Australian Open in 2020 and achieved a career-best ranking of No. 3 the same year. His ranking remained in the top five until a wrist injury in June 2021 sidelined him for nine months, affecting his performance since. Throughout his career, Thiem has clinched 17 titles.
