There you could read about the “unfinished” thing, about a “too early” or “unfinished business”. But the respect for the tennis star’s achievements and the aesthetics of his game could also be seen in many fan and expert comments on social networks. Former coach Günter Bresnik doesn’t believe that Thiem’s future comeback is possible.
After Thiem’s only Grand Slam victory in 2020 in Flushing Meadows, Alexander Zverev, who lost after five sets, tearfully told his good tour friend that it was “the first of many Grand Slam titles.” A prophecy that did not come true.
And this aftertaste remains behind Thiem’s career. “He had a great career that could or should have been better,” said the man who once made Thiem a star on Saturday. Günter Bresnik, not a fan of social networks anyway, also had something to say in this regard. “I find the way Dominic has been sullied in this anti-social media over the last year or two terrible.”
That’s why he didn’t like the fact that Thiem’s farewell on Friday took place via these networks. “I am appalled at how this was announced yesterday.” And yet Bresnik is surprised by the fact that he would not consider it impossible for the 30-year-old Thiem to make a comeback at a later date.
“Dominic is such an exceptionally good tennis player that I don’t think it’s completely out of the question that we could see him make a comeback in six months or a year,” said the 63-year-old coach and also gave reasons for this. “For me, he’s so fresh physically and definitely in terms of technique and play. After several months of training, he certainly has what it takes to play at a level where he can stand in the first 50 or the first 30.”
“He couldn’t quite get out of there.”
Another of Thiem’s ex-managers, Herwig Straka, also expressed some ambivalence about the impending exit on Saturday. “I understand the decision to a certain extent because he has obviously been trying to get back to where he was for several years. From what I heard, he trained very well, but if the successes don’t come, that’s it “It’s frustrating, I understand that. At the same time, I think it’s sad and bitter for him, especially, and also for Austrian tennis.”
The Viennese tournament boss, who has an important say in the ATP, compared Thiem after his injury in 2021 to a skier who fell during a jump. “There are some who go over it one day later and it’s all over and there are those who don’t go over the jump again for the rest of their lives. I think that it (the injury, note) simply blocked him.”
You can make external assessments, but you don’t have the right to do so. “I think it’s his own decision. I feel most sorry for him. There were always attempts to help him. I also tried to talk to him a few times,” Straka said in connection with the mental hole after the US Open title spoke of a “success depression”. “Every superstar falls into a hole after a successful concert. Then came the injury and he couldn’t quite get out of it.”
Thiem was no longer able to write the big comeback story à la Niki Lauda, Thomas Muster or Hermann Maier. And the arguments about the “unfinished” symphony are also understandable for Straka. “I refuse to completely believe it, but I understand it now. But if you say so early on when you want to stop, a lot of things can happen.”
Straka doesn’t want to raise hopes with this, but: “I’ll believe it when the time comes. I understand that he has completed it for himself, that’s also important.” However, Straka referred to the US player Danielle Collins, who won two tournaments in 2024 after announcing her retirement. “Something like that often triggers something. I’ve already experienced a lot. Who knows what’s coming.”
However, Straka does not believe comparisons with Thomas Muster are appropriate. “You can’t compare it,” said Straka, who, as Muster’s manager, still has a lot of contact with his close compatriot. “If the surfaces back then had been as similar as they are today, I think Thomas Muster would have won a lot more.”
Straka is content with the fact that Muster and Thiem “were outstanding in their time.” He also asked Muster himself for a statement about his resignation to the media, but he doesn’t want to comment for the time being.
Straka was once very close to Thiem as a manager before the change came about. “It was a successful time. I don’t presume to say that things would have been different for me.” In any case, as tournament boss at the Erste Bank Open, he will help give Thiem a nice farewell when he actually says goodbye in the town hall. There has not yet been a specific request about this.
