‘It took a toll’: Dominic Thiem on How Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal Contributed to His Injury Woes…
A decade ago, during a time when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray were locked in fierce competition at the top of men’s tennis, a young Austrian named Dominic Thiem emerged on the scene. Thiem, displaying immense talent and potential, was widely regarded as a future World No.1 and expected to have a brilliant career. However, despite his early promise, Thiem’s journey was marred by a series of persistent injuries that ultimately derailed his career. These injuries became so debilitating that he announced his retirement at the relatively young age of 30.
Dominic Thiem has now confirmed he will retire following the conclusion of the 2024 season, citing a series of unfortunate injuries, particularly a recurring wrist injury, as a major factor in his decision. Reflecting on his career and the toll it took on his body, Thiem acknowledged that his relentless pursuit of competing with the sport’s “Big Three” — Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic — significantly contributed to his physical struggles.
“It was a huge challenge, especially for someone like me, trying to compete against three legends of the game,” Thiem told The Athletic. “It definitely took its toll. I was up against the greatest of all time, and that was incredibly intense.”
Thiem also pointed to the rigorous nature of his training regimen over the years. “All those years of intense training, the heavy workload, and the sheer volume of practice shots led to the wrist injury,” he explained. “It was something the doctors and others had warned me about — that eventually, the physical strain might catch up with me.”
Despite his recent slump to 131 in the ATP rankings, this position does not accurately reflect the heights Thiem once reached in his career. His most notable achievement came in 2020, when he captured the US Open title after a grueling five-set victory over Alexander Zverev. This triumph marked a high point in a career filled with both promise and heartbreak.