“Was Living Way Too Much in This Illusion” – Dominic Thiem Opens Up on the Harsh Reality of Chasing Grand Slam Glory Following His Emotional Retirement

Is winning a title the ultimate end goal in sports? While most people would say yes, Dominic Thiem has got a different perspective on this mind-bending question. The now former ATP pro and 2020's US Open Grand Slam champion recently hanged his racket. He spent a 13-year long career on the tennis court. Is it all about lifting trophies, or are we missing the simple philosophy of life? Reflecting on his past and chasing the Grand Slam dream, Thiem recently revealed a rare, yet much-needed take on what can really make someone fulfilled as a sports person.

The Grand Slam tennis tournaments are a stage for 128 hopefuls, yet only one can stand triumphant. Yet, even after conquering this pinnacle, does it signify the ultimate achievement in tennis and life in general? Following his emotional retirement last month, Dominic had expressed, "I thought winning a Grand Slam would change my life forever. It didn't," he said in an interview with Tennis Majors, dated October 18th. Dominic reiterated this "illusion"-al belief in a conversation with writer Simon Mundie, as revealed by journalist Ben Rothenberg in one of his November 7th episode of the No Challenges Remaining podcast .

"I was living way too much in this illusion, like if I get this, I'm going to be happy if I win this title. Playing tennis, playing on the tour will be easier forever. Yeah, exactly, that happened. I was living way too much in this illusion, and when I was winning the US Open, it worked for like four or five weeks or something, like the French Open after I played in like Euphoria, and also the ATP finals, I played like in Euphoria," he said.

Dominic Thiem clinched his first and only Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open, defeating Alexander Zverev in a thrilling five-set final. This historic victory marked the first time a man had come back from two sets down to win a US Open final in the Open Era. To his surprise, the US Open victory brought him no ultimate joy. All of his "ecstasy stopped after the finals." How?

"When I went for holidays, when I came to relax a bit, then all the high was gone. And then there came a really difficult period, because then, I mean, all those emotions, all those high activities in my head, they were just gone." That was the point in life when he realized that "basically nothing changed, I have to enjoy the process, and I cannot chase after results, because it's like running after something that just clearly doesn't exist."

Just four days before Dominic Thiem retired from professional tennis, at 31 years old after losing 7-6 (6), 6-2 to Luciano Darderi on home soil in the first round of the Vienna Open, the Austrian touched upon the same topic and revealed his thought process before and after winning a Slam.

"Back then, I was not thinking like that. I really thought: 'OK, if I'm not going to win a slam in my career, my career is not great and I always will have some doubts'. It was not an easy situation. Of course, it's very nice to have the title, to have the trophy at home, but in the end it's still only a trophy and it shouldn't make a big difference in life. That's how I see it now," said Thiem. Interestingly, though, Dominic Thiem isn't the only one who thinks this way.

Coco Gauff agrees with Dominic Thiem's Grand Slam philosophy While reacting to Dominic's hard-hitting take back in October, the young American sensation Coco Gauff took to her Instagram account . She could really connect with the Austrian's thoughts. Emphasizing on them, she wrote, "."

Adding further, she revealed, "It added this pressure that I needed to do well fast. I just found myself not enjoying what I loved. I realised I needed to start playing for myself and not other people. For about a year, I was really depressed." Gauff's reaction came at a time when she was herself going through a tough phase. This season, she failed to maintain consistency in events like the Wimbledon, US Open, Cincinnati Masters, and Wuhan Open. She's only won one trophy in 2024 that came at the China Open.

Going forward, it seems like Coco will keep Thiem's words in her mind. It appears that she also doesn't want Grand Slams to define her entire career. Rather, she will likely work on having an amazing time playing through the events and give her best. As of now, the player is fighting it out against the best of the opponents in the WTA Finals. After winning her first clashes, she will now take on the Czech Republic's Barbora Krejčíková today.

But coming back to Dominic's perspective on Grand Slams, do you also agree with it? Let us know in the comments.