Dominic Thiem is preparing to bring the curtain down on his illustrious tennis career, and in a reflective mood, he recently shared some insights about how winning the 2020 US Open changed — or perhaps did not change — his life. These candid thoughts resonated deeply with fellow Major winner Coco Gauff, who publicly agreed with Thiem’s assessment of how a Grand Slam title impacts life off the court.
Thiem, who has battled persistent injuries for the past two years, announced in May that the 2024 season would be his final one on the ATP Tour. The 31-year-old Austrian, who has reached great heights in the sport, including peaking at No. 3 in the world, has been fighting to regain form after injuries derailed his momentum. But rather than continuing to push through pain and challenges, Thiem has decided to retire on his terms, choosing his home tournament, the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, as the stage for his final ATP event.
In the lead-up to his farewell appearance, Thiem sat down for a wide-ranging interview with *Tennis Majors* to reflect on his career. One of the most interesting points came when he was asked about the impact of winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open. Many assume that winning a Major title, the pinnacle of success in tennis, would be life-altering. Yet, Thiem offered a perspective that surprised many. He candidly admitted that, in hindsight, the victory didn’t have the transformative effect he once believed it would.
“When I look back, I realize that I gave it too much importance,” Thiem said, reflecting on his mindset at the time. “I thought it would make me happy forever, that it would change my life… but that’s not how it is. It’s an illusion. The truth is that nothing changed. And honestly, if in 20 years, I’m still here, no one will care if I was a Grand Slam champion or not.”
Thiem’s comments highlighted a deeper realization about the fleeting nature of professional success. At one point, he believed that without a Grand Slam trophy, his career would always be incomplete. But with time and perspective, he has come to understand that his achievements on the court, while significant, do not define his life or his happiness in the long run.
“I thought that if I didn’t win a Grand Slam, my career wouldn’t be good, and I would always have doubts,” he continued. “But it’s just a trophy; it shouldn’t make a difference in life. After winning, I realized that it didn’t have to make me happy forever. After three or four months, things returned to normal, but not in the way I expected. It was a challenging experience, but I’m happy I went through it.”
This level-headed and introspective view on success struck a chord with Coco Gauff, the young American star who recently won her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open. Gauff, who has been in the global spotlight since her breakthrough as a teenager, took to social media to express her agreement with Thiem’s comments, simply writing “real” on Instagram in response to the Austrian’s interview. Like Thiem, Gauff is learning early on that while tennis success is fulfilling, it doesn’t necessarily lead to lasting happiness or personal fulfillment.
Thiem’s retirement will be a bittersweet moment for tennis fans, particularly those in Austria, who have followed his career closely. As a farewell gesture, the organizers of the Erste Bank Open planned a special ceremony for Thiem on October 21, before the start of the main event. The ceremony featured an exhibition match between Thiem and Alexander Zverev, the same opponent he defeated in a dramatic five-set final at the 2020 US Open. The exhibition match was not only a nod to that historic moment but also a chance for Thiem to enjoy the camaraderie of the ATP Tour one last time.
After the exhibition, Thiem walked through a guard of honor formed by some of his closest peers and friends in the tennis world. Frances Tiafoe, Matteo Berrettini, Jack Draper, and his former coach, Nicolas Massu, were among those who participated, as was German tennis legend Boris Becker. Overwhelmed by the gesture, Thiem expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in his farewell celebration.
“It was an incredible journey. You were the most important ones, opponents and friends, and it was always a pleasure to be with you. It means so much to me that you were there today,” Thiem said, visibly emotional.
Though the farewell ceremony marked the end of an era, Thiem’s competitive journey is not entirely over. The Austrian has been awarded a main draw wildcard for the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna, where he will face Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the first round. While the tournament’s top seeds, Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur, will likely draw much of the attention, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see Thiem play his final professional matches on home soil.
As the tennis world prepares to bid farewell to one of its most talented and introspective players, Thiem leaves behind a legacy of resilience, humility, and introspection. His reflections on success and the meaning of life beyond tennis offer valuable lessons for both current and future generations of athletes. For Dominic Thiem, the Grand Slam trophy may not have changed his life, but his career has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the sport.