REPORT: Dominic Thiem to retire at Vienna in October; Novak Djokovic applauds Austrian

At the end of January, Dominic Thiem didn’t mince words when stating this season was “the last chance” to reassert himself on the ATP Tour.

Less than four months later, it appears the 2020 US Open champion has bought into that belief.

According to Austrian outlet SN, Thiem has begun informing sponsors that he will hang up his racquet in Vienna. The ATP 500 event runs in late October and is one of two tour-level tournaments the former world No. 3 triumphed at on home soil in 2019, along with Kitzbuhel.

Thiem is yet to address the latest development of his career plans.

Novak Djokovic was asked about his colleague in Rome Wednesday, and while he didn't wish to speculate about a decision Thiem hasn't commented on publicly, the 24-time major champion had plenty of nice words for the man he edged out in the 2020 Australian Open final.

"First of all, a great guy, very good person, someone that has very good manners, good values, family man, somebody that always took time to say hello, always showed respect on the court, off the court," began Djokovic. "I really like Dominic. I think he's a great example of somebody who never gives up after the difficult time he had and still has with injuries, trying to work his way back to the level where he was when he was winning Grand Slams and being in top of the world.

"We are all hoping as tennis fans and colleagues of his that he can find the level because he was always very exciting to watch. Spectacular shots, incredible one-handed backhand, forehands, so much power and intensity he brings on the court."

A great guy, very good person, someone that has very good manners, good values, family man, somebody that always took time to say hello, always showed respect on the court, off the court. —Novak Djokovic on Dominic Thiem

A right wrist injury in 2021 sadly signaled a downward turn for a competitor who consistently challenged the Big 3 in his prime—Thiem is 5-7 against Djokovic, 5-2 against Roger Federer and 6-10 against Rafael Nadal. He has lifted 17 tour-level trophies, though hasn’t tasted victory since becoming a major champion at Flushing Meadows.

Thiem got himself back to the Top 100 in late 2022 with a pair of encouraging ATP semifinal showings and finished runner-up at Kitzbuel in July 2023. But the Wiener Neustadt native hasn’t posted a Top 10 win since defeating Djokovic at the 2020 ATP Finals and has bowed out in the first round of seven of nine Grand Slam appearances since the start of 2021.

The 30-year-old is not in Rome this week, having fallen outside the Top 100 of the rankings with a 2-4 mark in tour-level contests so far in 2024. The current No. 117 is seven spots out of a main-draw place at Roland Garros—where he is a two-time finalist—and will presumably play qualifying if he doesn’t move into the 128-player field. Wild card selections have not been announced by the FFT as of now.