Dominic Thiem has expressed concerns about the current state of tennis, stating, "The way we play tennis is not healthy. Nobody stays injury-free." His own struggles with injuries, particularly a wrist issue, played a significant role in his decision to retire, as he felt the pressure to keep up with the sport's elite, often referred to as the "big three," ultimately hindered his promising career. In September 2020, Thiem showcased his remarkable talent by defeating Daniil Medvedev to secure a spot in the US Open final. This performance further solidified his status as a potential successor in men's tennis. Having already reached three major finals—losing to Rafael Nadal twice at the French Open and to Novak Djokovic in Australia—Thiem had proven his resilience. Each defeat only seemed to fuel his determination, and by his fourth attempt, he felt the momentum was finally on his side. Reflecting on the emotions following his semi-final victory, Thiem recalled, "The emotions were great. Great dinner, great treatment. Everything was fine." However, he also admitted that as he prepared for bed that night, he felt an overwhelming sense of tension. "I felt like: ‘OK, I’m really tight. Shit. I cannot think about anything else other than the final, which is not good.’" Thiem's journey highlights the intense pressures faced by professional athletes and raises important questions about the sustainability of the sport.