Dominic Thiem bids emotional farewell to the Bundesliga

Thousands of fans turned out despite torrential rain in southern Germany to see one of the Tennis Channel Bundesliga’s biggest stars play his final match in the competition. Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem returned to TK GW Mannheim for one last match ahead of his retirement later this year.

The Bundesliga is know worldwide as the strongest tennis league in the world due to its plethora of Top 100 players. Among the greats to have played on the German club courts include Rafael Nadal and newly-crowned Olympic champion Novak Djokovic.

Fan-magnet Thiem plays for Mannheim, who won the title three times in four years between 2018 and 2021. His last appearance was a bittersweet day. After defeat in the singles, he won his final doubles match to secure his now-former club a point, passionately cheered on by ballkids, players, staff and fans alike. It was a reception that touched the Austrian deeply.

"Thank you, that's the biggest word I can say. And also a thank you to the fans who stayed so long because the weather was difficult," said Thiem.

"I'm very emotional. It really was a wonderful farewell. Of course one of the most special tournaments I've had in my life, the home tournament where so many beautiful things happened."

Thiem announced earlier this summer that 2024 would be his last year on the ATP Tour after recovering from a serious wrist injury. He released a statement on his personal social media explaining why the time was right.

"I want to give you a very important, very sad, but also very beautiful message: The 2024 season will be my last. I will end my career at the end of this season," he said.

"There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, my wrist is obviously not the way it should be and it's not the way I wanted it to be. The second reason is my inner feeling. I thought about this decision for a very long time. I thought about it very carefully.

The Tennis Channel Bundesliga is one of the few tournaments Thiem has taken part in this year. After his last return to Kitzbühel, where he triumphed in 2019, Thiem will make a decision about his participation in the US Open in the coming days. He then plans to play alongside Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Frankfurt before making his final appearance at his home tournament in Vienna.