Dominic Thiem, the former US Open champion, faced a first-round defeat in his final Grand Slam appearance on Monday. Thiem, who announced his retirement earlier, lost to No. 13 seed Ben Shelton in straight sets at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match marked an emotional moment for Thiem, as it allowed him to bid farewell to the sport in front of a packed crowd, unlike his 2020 victory in an empty stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thiem, a former world No. 3, had a successful career marred by wrist injuries that impacted his performance in recent years. Despite his struggles, he managed to secure his only Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open by defeating Alexander Zverev in a thrilling final. Thiem's victory made him the first man since 1949 to win the US Open after losing the first two sets.
