Thiem: "Happy to have played my last match on Arthur Ashe Stadium".

Dominic Thiem played his last Grand Slam match this Monday, in the first round of the US Open (he will retire after the Vienna tournament at the end of October). He lost in three sets (6-4, 6-2, 6-2) to Ben Shelton on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was on this same court that he had won the tournament in 2020, but in front of empty stands due to COVID-19 restrictions. He was therefore delighted to be able to play there one last time under normal conditions.

Dominic Thiem: "Thank you. Yes, first of all, of course, thank you very much for all the support you've given me over the years. It's been ten years since I played here for the first time, but yes, this is a very important moment for me because I had the greatest success of my career here (his only Grand Slam title), on this court.

I mean, in this strange year 2020, under very strange and different circumstances (no spectators due to COVID-19). And unfortunately, I had this success without any of you. So it was, of course, on the one hand, a really incredible moment, but on the other hand, it was also quite sad.

So I'm very happy to have had the chance to play my last US Open, my last match here, on this court (Arthur Ashe Stadium). And now I can spend a little time with you to thank you all and make up a little for what we missed four years ago. So it's a very special moment.

I'm very grateful to everyone who came and everyone who gave me the chance to play here one last time. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart."