Dominic Thiem starts new chapter as former US Open champion joins Austrian football club

Saturday, 25 July 2026 at 20:27

Dominic Thiem retired after a long injury history.

Dominic Thiem has officially started a new sporting chapter, this time away from the tennis court. Less than two years after ending his professional career, the 2020 US Open champion has registered as a football player with Austrian club Badener AC. The former world No. 3 will now attempt to earn a place in the squad of the eighth-division side, turning a lifelong passion into his latest competitive challenge.

The move was confirmed after Thiem was officially registered with the Austrian Football Federation on July 15. According to local reports, his arrival at Badener AC was facilitated by a friend already playing for the club. While Thiem had previously featured for hometown side SC Lichtenwörth, this represents his first official club since retiring from the ATP Tour at the end of the 2024 season.

Football has always occupied a special place in Thiem's life alongside tennis, with the Austrian regularly attending matches and speaking about his love for the sport throughout his career. Now, at 32, he has decided to pursue that passion more seriously, trading Grand Slam stadiums for local football grounds in Austria as he begins an entirely different sporting adventure.

Despite arriving as one of Austria's greatest-ever tennis players, Thiem will receive no special privileges at his new club. Badener AC's management has already made clear that every player must compete equally for a place in the starting lineup, regardless of achievements in another sport.

No special treatment despite his tennis achievements

Sporting director Sergej Petrovic welcomed the arrival of the former Grand Slam champion but stressed that reputation alone will not guarantee playing time. "We've heard that he's also a good football player," Petrovic said. "I expect him to play here. But everyone has to fight for a place in the starting eleven." The message underlines that Thiem will have to prove himself all over again.

Few players of his generation enjoyed a peak comparable to Thiem's. The Austrian captured 17 ATP singles titles, including the 2020 US Open, lifted the Indian Wells Masters 1000 crown, reached two Roland Garros finals and another at the Australian Open, while climbing to a career-high ranking of world No. 3. At his best, he was widely regarded as one of the biggest threats to the dominance of the Big Three.

Dominic Thiem during his final US Open.

A second sporting career after tennis

That remarkable career was ultimately derailed by the wrist injury suffered in 2021. Although Thiem returned to competition in 2022, he never fully recovered the level that had established him among the world's elite. Ongoing physical issues eventually led him to retire following the 2024 Vienna Open, closing one of the most memorable careers of his generation.

Now Thiem faces a completely different challenge. The expectations will be far lower than those that accompanied his Grand Slam campaigns, but the competitive drive remains unchanged. Instead of chasing ATP trophies, the Austrian will now be fighting for minutes in Austria's eighth division, embracing a fresh start while staying connected to the thrill of competition that defined his tennis career.

Dominic Thiem's Grand Slam finals

Year	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Result	Score
2018	French Open	Clay	Rafael Nadal	Runner-up	4–6, 3–6, 2–6
2019	French Open	Clay	Rafael Nadal	Runner-up	3–6, 7–5, 1–6, 1–6
2020	Australian Open	Hard	Novak Djokovic	Runner-up	4–6, 6–4, 6–2, 3–6, 4–6
2020	US Open	Hard	Alexander Zverev	Champion	2–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6(6)

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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