Dominic Thiem Shifts from Tennis to Football: A New Journey Begins
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem, who stepped away from professional tennis in 2024, is making a surprising return to competitive sports—but this time, it’s on the football field. The 32-year-old, once ranked World No. 3, is joining an amateur football club in the lower leagues of Austria.
Thiem’s tennis career was cut short due to ongoing injuries, closing a chapter that had once promised so much. He officially announced his retirement after the 2024 season, having faced a heartbreaking end to his time on the tennis circuit during his last match at the US Open, a venue that holds special memories for him. He won the US Open title in 2020 but was sidelined for months due to a serious wrist injury that impacted his return to peak form.
After his last match, where he lost to Ben Shelton, Thiem expressed peace with his decision to retire. “I faced many struggles in recent years, and I couldn’t get back to my old level. But once I decided to retire in March, I felt good about it,” he shared. He reflected on how he loved the tour but also cherished a more normal lifestyle at home, attributing his early retirement to bad luck with injuries but claiming he had no regrets.
Thiem’s passion for football has now led him to the local pitches of Lower Austria. He has registered with Badener AC, an amateur club that plays in Austria’s eighth division. His journey into football isn’t entirely sudden; he played ten matches and scored a goal for SC Lichtenwrth, a club in his hometown, before deciding to join Badener AC through a mutual friend.
Despite his illustrious tennis background, Thiem won’t be treated like a star at his new club. Badener AC’s management has confirmed that he will need to earn his spot in the starting lineup just like any other player. “We’re excited to have him on board, and we’ve heard he’s a good footballer,” commented Petrovic from the club, acknowledging Thiem’s potential contributions.
For Thiem, who spent over a decade performing under pressure in front of large crowds, shifting from packed stadiums to local club fields presents an opportunity to keep his competitive spirit alive, all while enjoying the game he loves.
Thiem’s Final Tennis Match
Dominic Thiem officially ended his tennis career on October 22, 2024, after a defeat to Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the first round of the Vienna Open. In front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Vienna Stadthalle, Thiem lost in straight sets, 6-7 (6), 2-6, in a match that lasted 91 minutes.
The match started promisingly for Thiem, who took an early lead and even had a set point during the tiebreak. However, Darderi managed to turn the tide, clinching that tightly contested opening set. As the match went on, Thiem struggled, allowing Darderi to take control and secure the win.
This defeat marked the last of 563 matches in a career that had so much potential, yet was plagued by injuries. Following the match, Thiem received a heartfelt standing ovation from nearly 10,000 fans, as he placed his racket in a display case on the court—an emotional farewell to his remarkable career.
