Dominic Thiem, a former world number three in the ATP rankings and the 2020 US Open champion, has made an unexpected transition to football at the age of 32. After retiring from professional tennis at the end of 2024, Thiem has traded his tennis racket for a football, ready to compete in a new sport.
The Austrian athlete has officially signed with Badener AC, a club that competes in the 2. Klasse Triestingtal, the equivalent of Austria’s eighth division. His move to football was influenced by his friendship with a player on the team, although Thiem’s experience on the pitch is not entirely new.
Dominic Thiem Takes the Field in Football
Prior to this new chapter, Thiem had already played ten official matches and scored one goal for SC Lichtenwörth, a club in his hometown, according to reports.
Despite his illustrious tennis background, Thiem will not receive any preferential treatment at Badener AC. The club’s management made it clear that his past success on the ATP Tour does not guarantee him a spot in the starting lineup, meaning he must earn his place through training like any other player. “I have heard he is a good player. He has a friend at the club, and I hope he plays very well here. Everyone must fight for a spot in the first ’11’,'” stated Sergej Petrovic, the head of the football section at the club.
Thiem officially ended his tennis career after the Vienna tournament in 2024, amassing 17 ATP titles throughout his career, with the highlight being his US Open win in 2020, where he staged a remarkable comeback from two sets down against Alexander Zverev.
His career, however, was marred by a severe wrist injury sustained in 2021, which prevented him from returning to his former competitive level. Alongside his New York title, Thiem reached the finals of the French Open in 2018 and 2019, both times losing to Rafael Nadal, and he also contested the Australian Open final in 2020, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic. Additionally, he has appeared in the finals of the ATP Finals twice.
A Representative Role at the UEFA Super Cup
Thiem’s connection to football extends beyond the pitch. He has been appointed as Austria’s official ambassador for the UEFA Super Cup, scheduled for August 12 in Salzburg, featuring Paris Saint-Germain against Aston Villa, pitting the winners of the UEFA Champions League against the Europa League champions.
