Dominic Thiem's Retirement Plans: A New Path Ahead

Dominic Thiem is set to retire at the Vienna Open next week, marking the end of a notable career shaped by both triumphs and challenges. The Austrian star, who once stood as a potential successor to tennis legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, has revealed his plans for life after professional tennis, indicating a shift toward entrepreneurial pursuits rather than coaching.

Career Highlights and Injury Struggles

Thiem’s journey in professional tennis saw him reach remarkable heights, including becoming the first man born in the 1990s to reach a Grand Slam final in 2018 and the first to claim a Major title in 2020. However, his career has been marred by a wrist injury that began affecting him in 2021. Following years of struggle, Thiem announced his retirement earlier this year.

Before saying goodbye to competitive tennis, he is participating in the Ultimate Tennis Showdown exhibition event this weekend, leading up to his final match at the Vienna Open. Thiem is scheduled to play in the first round on Tuesday, potentially concluding his professional journey.

Embracing New Ventures

In preparation for his post-playing days, Thiem has begun exploring entrepreneurial projects. He announced plans for an eco-friendly energy company called Thiem Energy, which aims to provide clean electricity from solar power. Thiem expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating:

“Since the decision is made that I’m going to retire with the Vienna week, we already started two main projects. One is Thiem Energy, clean electricity from the sun, a project that I believe is for common good.”

Thiem aims for this venture to benefit the Austrian community and possibly expand internationally in the future.

Continued Involvement in Tennis

While Thiem is keen to remain involved in tennis, he has ruled out pursuing a traditional coaching role on the tour. He plans to assist at his father's tennis academy, emphasizing a desire to help young players transition from juniors to professionals. He shared:

“I think I can have some weeks off to get a little bit of distance from tennis. But then I really want to help young players to develop and to make the step from a junior to a professional player. I want to give back to tennis, as tennis gave me so much.”

No Plans for Touring Coaching

Despite his willingness to guide younger players, Thiem does not envision himself as a full-time coach, particularly on the touring circuit. He stated:

“I’m a bit tired of travelling, especially far away. And there are way better tennis coaches than me.”

Instead, Thiem intends to offer his insights and experiences to players aged 15 to 21, noting the challenges he faced during his own development. He aims to support both Austrian players and others through the academy:

“The academy is international. So, yeah, it doesn’t matter from where the players are coming.”

As Thiem prepares for his final tournament, his focus shifts toward contributing to the sport that has given him so much, while also embarking on exciting new ventures beyond the court.