As Dominic Thiem stepped off the court for what would be his final professional match, a wave of relief and reflection swept over him. The Austrian tennis star, who had once been a formidable presence on the ATP Tour, officially announced his retirement in 2024 at the age of 31. Though his decision marked the end of an era, Thiem’s journey beyond tennis has uncovered a new wellspring of purpose and satisfaction.
Throughout his career, Thiem was celebrated for his powerful baseline game, heavy topspin forehand, and mental toughness. His breakthrough moment came in 2020 when he claimed the US Open title, defeating Alexander Zverev in a thrilling five-set final to secure his first Grand Slam victory. This achievement was particularly significant, as he became the first male player born in the 1990s to win a major, signaling a shift from the dominance of the so-called “Big Three”—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Thiem reached his career-high ATP ranking of world No. 3 later that year, affirming his position among the elite.
However, Thiem’s path was not without obstacles. In 2021, a debilitating wrist injury forced him out of action for nearly ten months, disrupting his momentum and leading to a steep drop in rankings—plummeting outside the top 350. Though he attempted a comeback, the rigors of professional tennis and the lingering effects of injury proved formidable. Despite flashes of his former brilliance—including a finals appearance at the 2023 Kitzbühel clay-court tournament where he fell to Sebastian Baez—he struggled to consistently compete at the highest level.
Retiring from tennis, an all-consuming profession that demands relentless focus and physical conditioning, presented Thiem with a profound life adjustment. In an interview with the ‘Beyond Business Cast,’ he shared what it was like to hang up his racket permanently. The sudden disappearance of the constant pressure and intensity that comes with elite competition brought him an unusual mix of relief and strangeness. “It’s a really, really pleasant feeling,” he reflected, “but also extremely strange.”
One of the biggest challenges Thiem faced was redefining his daily routine without the rigor and structure of the tour. He had to learn to organize his time around a life that no longer revolved around training, traveling, and competing. Yet, as he gradually built a new rhythm, Thiem discovered a sense of balance that had eluded him during his athletic prime. “The balance is much better now,” he explained. “Of course, the lows aren’t there anymore… Generally, the balance is more pleasant now than it used to be, even if the peaks are gone.”
This sentiment underscores a broader truth about sports careers and the athletes behind the glory: success is often ephemeral, but life after sport can be rich and fulfilling in different ways. Thiem’s career, marked by incredible highs and difficult setbacks, serves as a reminder that perseverance extends beyond the court. His journey offers a compelling human story—one of resilience, adaptation, and the quest for meaning beyond achievements and titles.
Historically, the world of tennis has witnessed many great players transition from competition to new chapters—some become coaches, commentators, or entrepreneurs, while others pivot to entirely different fields. Thiem himself has expressed a willingness to embrace fresh challenges, demonstrating the same hunger to push boundaries that fueled his tennis career. “I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next,” he said, “I’ve always been someone who likes to take on new things and challenge myself.”
Tracing Thiem’s career arc also evokes echoes of other players whose promising paths were reshaped by injury or circumstance. For instance, Juan Martín del Potro, a contemporary and rival of Thiem, faced recurring wrist injuries that curtailed his peak years but remained beloved for his spirit and talent. Similarly, the evolving nature of men’s tennis, with younger players emerging and veterans phasing out, reflects the sport’s relentless demands and the fragility of sustaining dominance.
Through all this, Thiem’s legacy endures. He amassed 16 ATP titles and consistently challenged the greats at the Grand Slams, earning admiration for his fighting spirit and sportsmanship. While his final years on tour may not have captured the same spotlight, his ability to face retirement with grace and positivity adds a new dimension to his story.
As the saying in tennis goes, “A good player never really stops playing, they just change their racket.” For Dominic Thiem, the transition from tennis to life may mean holding a different kind of racket—one representing new ambitions, adventures, and satisfaction beyond the baseline. His story reminds us that the end of one chapter inevitably sets the stage for another, and that fulfillment often comes through embracing change and rediscovery.