Early Kitzbühel exit

Dominic Thiem meets Tirante – LIVE today

Dominic Thiem has been eliminated in Kitzbühel.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof/Christof Birbaumer)

Dominic Thiem is out of the Generali Open in Kitzbühel after losing to Argentinian Thiago Agustin Tirante on Tuesday. The first set did not go according to plan for the Lower Austrian. He had to concede defeat to Tirante 2:6. The 30-year-old showed great morale again in the second set and put up a tough fight against the Argentinian. In the end, however, it was not enough to prevent an early exit. The second set was also lost 4:6. Nevertheless, Thiem was bid farewell by the crowd with applause and a lot of emotion. 

Dominic Thiem experienced a bitter farewell to one of his favorite tournaments on Tuesday evening. The 30-year-old Austrian, who played his last clay court tournament in the Gamsstadt, clearly lost to Argentinian Thiago Agustin Tirante 2:6, 4:6 after 73 minutes in front of a sold-out stadium. The 2019 Kitz winner from Lichtenwörth was thus unable to put on the show he had hoped to offer the 5,800 fans one last time.

Tirante had reached his first ATP semi-final last week in Båstad, beating world number eight Andrej Rublev from Russia, among others. He was only eliminated against the eventual winner Nuno Borges, who had canceled his Kitzbühel start at short notice after his victory over Rafael Nadal in the final. Thiem was no threat to the South American (ATP 101st), who is in good form, in their first and probably last meeting.

Difficulties at the start
The former world number three gave away his service on the first break point in the opening game and was therefore behind right from the start. Thiem only took his first game at 0:4 and after 20 minutes. After 28 minutes, set one was an (easy) spoil for Tirante. "It hurts to watch him", said former player and TV expert Barbara Schett on ServusTV after the first round.

Farewell emotions from the stands.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof/Christof Birbaumer)

Thiem improved in the second set and was able to keep up with Tirante until 4:4. After just under 70 minutes, however, Thiem gave up his service to make it 4:5 and seal his exit. Tirante served out a clear two-set victory.

Thiago Agustin Tirante

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Despite the full stadium, there was no great atmosphere due to the one-sided nature of the match. However, it was all the louder when the 17-time ATP tournament winner entered the stadium and then after match point.

Honoring after the match
After the match, the tournament organizers prepared a tribute to Thiem's "Kitzbühel life's work". In front of his parents, brother Moritz and girlfriend Lili Paul-Roncalli, his greatest moments were first shown in video sequences, after which he received a valuable, newly designed Kitzbühel chamois set with diamonds and Swarovski stones.

As Thiem also found out on Tuesday that Andy Murray will now definitely be competing at the Olympic Games, his last chance of competing under the sign of the five rings is gone. Thiem is now still hoping for a wild card for the US Open, but if he doesn't get it, he will play in the qualifiers in New York. The place where he celebrated his greatest success in 2020 with the Major title. Thiem will then say his final farewell at his second home tournament in October in the Wiener Stadthalle.

Farewell ceremony for Thiem in Kitzbühel.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof/Cristof Birbaumer)

Since announcing his retirement on May 10, Thiem has only celebrated one victory at the French Open in the first qualifying round. He suffered first round defeats on Mallorca, last week in Gstaad and now in the Gamsstadt.