On Arthur Ashe Stadium, the site of some of his most glorious moments, Dominic Thiem bid farewell to the US Open. His resounding 2020 triumph, when he won the title amid the pandemic, seemed like a distant dream.

On August 26, under the blazing New York sun, Thiem had an emotional final match. Despite losing to young talent Ben Shelton, the smile on the Austrian player’s face said it all.

End of a beautiful chapter

“I achieved my greatest success on this court in a very strange 2020. It was the greatest moment for me, but also a sad moment, so I’m extremely happy to have the opportunity to play my last US Open match on this court and spend time with you guys,” Thiem said in a special on-court interview.

At the end of the year, Dominic Thiem decided to say goodbye to his professional tennis career. It was a surprising decision, because his talent was still there. His serve was still powerful, and his backhand was still a masterpiece. So what made a promising young player like Thiem stop halfway?

The 2020 US Open championship is considered the pinnacle of his career. However, few people know that this title has become a burden on Thiem’s shoulders. The pressure to defend the throne and prove himself worthy of his first Grand Slam title has made Thiem fall into a state of stress and fatigue.

Thiem was considered one of the most talented players of his generation. His powerful serves, unique backhands and tenacious play have helped him win many impressive victories. However, after winning the US Open, Thiem seems to have lost his peak form.

“For the US Open, I have to win and that’s really difficult,” Thiem shared. Instead of being excited about the future after escaping the Grand Slam nightmare, he wondered: “Is this the end?”

By spring 2021, Thiem was trying to find his passion for tennis again. However, unsatisfactory results and a serious wrist injury have put his career in a deadlock.

Still, Thiem insisted: “I’m really happy with the career I’ve had. I never expected it to be this successful, so I really have no regrets, and I’m happy with it.”

From the peak to the liberation for Dominic Thiem

Eleven years ago, Dominic Thiem burst into the world of professional tennis with the energy and vigor of a Labrador Retriever. He has fought tirelessly to earn his place, especially during the era of the “Big Three” dominance.

Although not as fortunate as some of his peers to have such a rapid career progression, Thiem has proven his talent and iron will. Until the arrival of Daniil Medvedev, Thiem was the only member of the old generation dominated by the “Big Three” to win a major championship.

His 2020 US Open win may have been a fluke, but he has also appeared in three other major finals. In 35 meetings with the “Big Three”, he has an impressive 16-19 win-loss record, including five wins in seven attempts against Federer.

Thiem has also beaten Djokovic twice at Roland Garros, and has faced 14-time champion Nadal three years in a row (2017 to 2019). These statistics show Thiem’s perseverance and determination. He does not give up easily against stronger opponents.

Earlier this year, Thiem admitted that he was struggling against the new generation of players. In April, when he announced his intention to retire, he wrote in a social media post: “I am no longer the player of 2020. I have to face the current situation, the fact that my wrists do not give me the strength that they used to.”

The decision to retire has brought a sense of liberation to Thiem, a peace he has longed for.

He added: “I have found peace after my decision. Since the moment I made the decision in March this year, I have been very happy. I no longer have to stress and worry about the competition results. I can enjoy life and explore my other interests.”

Even so, Thiem still can’t seem to forget the feeling of victory at the top. He admits that it’s a great feeling that nothing can compare to.

“I know this feeling will never come back,” he confided. “So this is definitely the feeling I will miss the most.”