Despite a strong start

LIVE: Dominic Thiem against Ben Shelton

Ben Shelton bids farewell to Dominic Thiem.

(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Over, over, over! Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem has played his last Grand Slam match. The 30-year-old lost 4:6, 2:6, 2:6 to Ben Shelton on Monday in New York at the site of his greatest career triumph in round one. 

Thiem will end his career in around two months' time at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. As will be required at his home tournament, he has also received a wildcard for the last Grand Slam event of the year - and has been set to play Arthur Ashe.

The world's largest tennis stadium was not yet completely full when the match started at 12.15 p.m. local time, but as the match progressed, more and more people wanted to see the 2020 coronavirus tournament winner and the local hero. Like 16 of his compatriots, Shelton is aiming to win the first US Open title by an American since Andy Roddick in 2003, having reached the semi-finals the previous year to achieve his greatest success to date. On the way there, the youngster had beaten Thiem in round two, who had had to retire at 6:7,0:1 due to gastritis.

(Bild: 2024 Getty Images)

As the draw had it, the third clash between the two - Thiem had won on clay in Estoril last year - also took place on the US Open stage. However, the omens were completely different this time. Shelton, now 13th in the world rankings, is probably on the verge of breaking into the top ten, while Thiem came into the match with little tournament experience and as only ATP 210th. However, the difference in ranking between the two was not very noticeable in the first set. Thiem held his service well up to 4:4 and had three game points at 4:5 to equalize again. But the game and set went to Shelton.

(Bild: 2024 Getty Images)

And deservedly so, of course, as the 21-year-old, who is coached by his father Bryan Shelton (former world number 55), was more dominant and successful with his service, hitting 14 winners. Despite this, Thiem had a break point in the very first game of the second round, but failed to convert it. His opponent did better immediately afterwards and pulled away. The set was more or less over for Thiem against the strong server. It was a similar story in the third round, where the local favorite's 3:1 was decisive.

Here are the match statistics:

"An important moment"
 For Thiem, his 111th Grand Slam match in 75 wins came to an end after 1:50 hours. After converting the match point, Shelton encouraged the crowd to applaud Thiem. "I hate that this is Domi's last Grand Slam," Shelton said in the match preview. He had admired him on TV every week as a child and teenager. Shelton: "He won the trophy here. Not many people in this world can say that about themselves."

As with the wildcard allocation and the appointment of Arthur Ashe, the organizers also had a good hand in the aftermath of the match when, unusually, they also asked the loser for an interview - before the winner. "Thank you for your support over the years," said Thiem to an ovation from the crowd. "This is really an important moment for me. I had the most important success of my career here, albeit under unfortunate circumstances." However, the match now at the former triumph site made up for the empty stands back then.

Before leaving - his former coach Nicolas Massu was among those sitting in the former world number three's box - Thiem was presented with a large framed photo collage with a selection of his greatest US Open moments. Unlike many others in recent years, the Lower Austrian, who was ultimately set back decisively by a wrist injury suffered in June 2021, will not be celebrating his birthday at Flushing Meadows. The four-time major finalist (including the US Open title) will turn 31 on Tuesday next week.