Former Finalist Thiem Out of French Open Qualifiers

Two-time French Open finalist Dominic Thiem (30) was knocked out in the second round of the Roland Garros qualifiers on Wednesday, losing 6-2, 7-5 to Finland’s Otto Virtanen (22).

Thiem, who reached the French Open final in 2018 and 2019 only to be defeated by Rafael Nadal, has struggled to regain his form in recent years. Since his runner-up finish in 2020, Thiem has not advanced beyond the first round of the main draw at Roland Garros and has seen his ranking plummet from world number three to 131.

The Austrian’s career has been significantly hampered by a persistent wrist injury that has plagued him since 2021. This injury has led to a series of inconsistent performances and early exits from major tournaments. Thiem’s struggles have been evident on the ATP Tour, where he has found it challenging to string together victories and regain the confidence that once made him one of the top players in the world.

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Thiem’s crowning moment came in 2020 when he captured his first and only Grand Slam title at the US Open, overcoming Alexander Zverev in a dramatic five-set final. This victory was seen as a breakthrough for Thiem, who had been knocking on the door of Grand Slam success for several years. However, the momentum from that victory was short-lived as injuries and form issues took their toll.

Despite his current struggles, Thiem remains a beloved figure in the tennis community, known for his powerful groundstrokes and fighting spirit on the court. He has already announced his intention to retire from tennis at the end of the 2024 season, marking the end of an era for the Austrian player who was once considered the future of men’s tennis.

As Thiem prepares for his final year on the tour, fans and fellow players alike will be watching to see if he can recapture some of the magic that took him to the pinnacle of the sport. His early exit from the French Open qualifiers is a disappointing chapter in his storied career, but Thiem will undoubtedly aim to make a strong final push before he hangs up his racket.