Dominic Thiem, the story of a shooting star - Portrait

Elio Valotto

le 10/05/2024 à 19h11

4 min to read

Acapulco Almagro Barcelone Becker Berdych Buenos Aires Federer Goffin Gstaad Indian Wells Kohlschreiber Madrid Mayer McEnroe Medvedev Muster Nadal Nice Roland Garros Sousa Stuttgart Thiem Tomic Umag Wawrinka Zverev

At just 30 years of age, Dominic Thiem will be calling time on his career. As the Austrian announced on Friday, he will no longer play on the ATP circuit after the 2024 season. Unthinkable a few years ago, this decision doesn't seem so surprising today. Thiem is no ordinary player. He has inspired a whole host of players around the world. Whether through his legendary fair play, his splendid one-handed backhands or his absolutely insane physical intensity, 'Domi' has never left his fans indifferent.

Although deeply saddening, this decision belongs to the Austrian champion and must now be respected. Especially, given his pedigree. Nobody wanted it to come to this, not even Thiem. It's just that his physique has decided for him: "My wrist isn't the way it should be and the way I'd like it to be. I've been thinking about this decision for a long time, I've thought about it very carefully. Of course, I've also been thinking about my career in tennis, which has been incredible. I've had success and won trophies I'd never dreamed of. I'm very grateful for this experience. But I've come to the conclusion that the decision to stop my career this year is the only right one" (remarks broadcast by the champion on Instagram).

So, as he experiences his last thrills on the ATP circuit this year, starting with the French Open, where he twice reached the final, it's time to look back at the story of a player who left his mark on an entire generation.

- A lifetime dedicated to tennis

Dominic Thiem must have been a professional tennis player. Born in Wiener-Neustadt (near Vienna), he began playing tennis at an early age. Training at the Vienna Tennis Academy, where his parents teach, he makes rapid progress. Soon destined for great things, 'Domi' was spotted by Gunter Bresnik (coach of Becker, McEnroe and Lecomte) in 2002, at the age of 9. Seeing his obvious potential, the Austrian coach took him under his wing and a 17-year collaboration was born (from 2002 to 2019).

True to his status as an ambitious coach, Bresnik forced his young colt to develop his game, encouraging him in particular to adopt a one-handed backhand. Hitherto a very defensive player, Domi is gradually evolving towards a much more forward-looking game. Although his first results in competition weren't great, he finally changed dimension.

- The blossoming of a prodigy

The Austrian's junior career was a good one. He reached the final of the French Open and won the Orange Bowl. His status as a champion in the making earned him several invitations to take part in ATP tournaments. Most notably, he defeated Thomas Muster, the greatest player in Austrian tennis history, in Vienna. For most specialists, the torch has been passed. If "Munsterminator" says farewell, "Dominator" is born.

Turning professional at the age of 19 in 2012, he took it one step at a time. Winning three titles on the Future circuit (third division) in 2012, then two Challenger titles (second division) in 2013, he climbed from 640th in the world to 139th in two years.

Despite his fine performances on the secondary circuit, 'Domi' remains largely unknown to the general public. In this respect, 2014 was a year of blossoming. Joining the world's top 100 like a cannonball, he even finished the season in the top 50 (39th). On the back of a busy year of 35 Tour victories, Thiem burst onto the scene. After a few benchmark results, such as a victory over Stan Wawrinka in Madrid (1-6, 6-2, 6-4), a round-of-16 match at the US Open (lost to Berdych 6-1, 6-2, 6-4) and a gala second-round match against Nadal at Roland-Garros (lost 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in 2h09), his talent is obvious.

The following year (2015), the Austrian, still as hungry as ever, continued his fine progression to break into the top 20. Among his major feats, of course, are the first three ATP titles of his illustrious career (Nice, Umag, Gstaad).

- From prospect to champion: Domi becomes Dominator

Already a much-watched player, the Austrian clearly changed category in 2016. He broke into the world's top 10 in June and stayed there for over five years. Winning four ATP titles (Buenos Aires, Nice, Stuttgart, Acapulco), he became, at the age of 22, a sure thing on the circuit. Beating Rafael Nadal on clay (6-4, 4-6, 7-6 in Buenos Aires) and then Federer on grass (3-6, 7-6, 6-4 in Stuttgart), Thiem continued to make his mark. The highlight of his 2016 season was, of course, his semi-final at Roland Garros (6-2, 6-1, 6-4 defeat by Djokovic).

Now eagerly awaited by his rivals, he is stabilizing his very good level.