Boris Becker paid heartfelt homage to Dominic Thiem following the Austrian’s poignant farewell at the Vienna Open on Tuesday. Thiem’s career concluded with a 7-6(6), 6-2 loss to Italy’s Luciano Darderi, prompting the 31-year-old to retire after battling persistent injuries.
The former world No. 3 last tasted victory at the US Open in 2020, but struggled to maintain his ranking due to a severe wrist injury he sustained in Mallorca the following year. Before the tournament commenced, Thiem held an official retirement ceremony where Becker, along with several past and present players, honored the ATP fan favorite.
Taking to Instagram, the six-time Grand Slam champion shared photos from the ceremony, accompanied by a moving tribute. He wrote: “Dear Dominic, as you close this remarkable chapter of your career, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey you’ve had in tennis. Your talent, determination, and sportsmanship have inspired countless fans and players alike. It’s been a privilege to witness your growth and achievements on the court. From your stunning victories to the resilience you showed in tough times, you’ve left an undeniable footprint on the sport.”
Becker concluded with well-wishes for Thiem’s future: “As you move forward into this new phase of your life, know that your legacy will continue to inspire. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors. Enjoy every moment.”
Before his victory at Flushing Meadows, Thiem reached Grand Slam finals in 2018 and 2019 at the French Open, where he was bested by Rafael Nadal, and the 2020 Australian Open, losing to Novak Djokovic. Over his career, he amassed a total of 17 ATP titles, including a memorable win at Indian Wells in 2019, alongside triumphs in Barcelona and Beijing.
After his match against Darderi, Thiem candidly reflected on his retirement, admitting it “hurt,” yet he felt it was the “right decision.” He shared, “I’ve had so many nice goodbyes in the last few months, but today I want to say thank you for all the sensational years. I am only a part of this career. The whole journey has been an absolute dream, and I want this afternoon, this evening to be yours. I couldn’t have imagined it any better. Thank you.”
Thiem continued, “Those emotions, those feelings. Being in the flow, like I was in the first set. These are the things that will never come back. It hurts. But at the same time, I was playing some forehands, especially in the second set, and they weren’t even coming to the net. So it was the right decision.”