Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem has made startling admissions about his tennis future while outlining his plans for the 2024 season. Notably, Thiem hasn’t had the best start to his 2024 season, as the former World No. 3 is yet to win any tour-level events this season. His only two wins have come in the Brisbane International qualifiers.
The Austrian has lost two main draw matches, to Rafael Nadal in the first round in Brisbane and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round of the Australian Open. Thiem is now planning a return to the tour in March, with a focus on competing in Challenger events in Hungary, Croatia, and Italy to gain crucial ranking points.
Thiem’s journey has been fraught with challenges since his wrist injury in 2021, which sidelined him for nearly a year and precipitated a significant drop in his standing within the sport. As of January 29, 2024, he is ranked 90th in the world, a stark contrast to his previous high of No. 3 on March 2, 2020. Despite his struggles, Thiem has amassed 17 ATP singles titles throughout his career, all achieved before his wrist injury.
“I see this as my last chance. If I make it, it can happen quickly,” Thiem told Austrian daily Der Standard on Tuesday. “I’ve been back for two years now since the injury, and I finished 2022 on 100 or so and last year on 98. If I finish the year on 100 again, you have to think about whether it’s still worth it.
Thiem, who hired Benjamin Ebrahimzadeh as his coach after splitting with long-time coach Nicolas Massu in April 2023, has now ended his relationship with him as well. He is believed to be in talks with a non-Austrian coach.
“Yes, I separated from Benny after Australia,” Thiem said in a recent press conference in Austria, as per Der Standard. “[The new coach] will be someone who knows me as a player – since I was young, so to speak. I see that as the only chance to get the finishing touches.”
The Austrian, who hopes to return to the world’s top 50 by the end of the year, suggested that the 2024 season would be his last chance. “I see this as my last chance. If I can do it, it can happen quickly,” he said. “I’ve been back for two years since the injury, and I finished 2022 at 100 or so and last year at 98. Should I end the year at 100 again, you have to think about whether the whole thing is still worth it.”
