US Open 2021: Dominic Thiem, current champion, leaves the tournament due to a wrist injury

Dominic Thiem, the current champion, has retired from the 2021 US Open – and will not be competing again this year – due to a right wrist injury.

“It’s been a tough decision, but I know I have to do this.” Thiem announced it on Twitter. “I have a long career ahead of me and it’s important not to take risks and not to rush back. I hope you understand that.”

Thiem, the world’s 6th-ranked player, won his first Grand Slam championship at the US Open in 2020, when he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final. In doing so, Thiem became the first player to meet in less than two sets to win the U.S. Open since Pancho Gonzales did it in 1949.

This will be the seventh time in the history of the U.S. Open that the men’s champion will be unable to defend his title.

Thiem, 27, initially suffered a wrist injury while taking part in the Mallorca Open in June. In early August, the Austrian tennis star revealed that he felt pain while playing a ball in a workout. As a result, doctors recommended wearing a wrist splint for six weeks.

The wrist was not improved, which closed Thiem for 2021.

Thiem was turned upside down in the first round of the French Open when he fell against Pablo Andujar. After appearing in the French Open, Thiem played just one more match before injuring his wrist.