Ben Shelton displays ultimate show of respect to a retiring Dominic Thiem after emotional final Grand Slam appearance
Ben Shelton started his 2024 US Open with a straight-sets victory, but it was what he did after the match that was more classy.
Dominic Thiem stole the show on Monday, saluting a cheering New York crowd after Shelton encouraged the warm round of appreciation with the former set to retire at the end of the season.
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Dominic Thiem and Ben Shelton shared a wholesome moment on the courtCredit: Getty”Thank you so much for all of our support,” Thiem told fans after the match. “It’s a really important moment for me. … Because I’ve had my greatest success of my career here on this court.”
The 21-year-old Shelton signalled to the crowd to increase its support of Thiem, an Austrian tennis star won the 2020 men’s US Open.
“LOVE THIS and PROUD OF BEN,” a fan tweeted. “CHEERS & the best to Dominic!!”
READ MORE ON TENNIS”Classy,” a second fan posted.
“Aww love this,” a third fan wrote.
Thiem won the 2020 US Open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He recalled empty stands without fans during his emotional speech on Monday, while making what is expected to be his final Grand Slam appearance.
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“I’m super happy that I got the chance to play my last US Open, my last match, here on this court,” Thiem said. “I can spend now some time with you, just to say thank you to all of you.”
Thiem, who fell 6-4, 6-2 and 6-2 to the No. 13-seeded Shelton at Arthur Ashe Stadium, is set to retire after the 2024 season due to a wrist injury.
The former world No. 3, who is 30 years old, suffered the injury in 2021.
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Thiem embraced his best US Open memoriesCredit: Getty
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Shelton encouraged the crowd to cheer louderCredit: x@atptour
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Thiem paused and became emotional while thanking the crowdCredit: x@usopenHe was sidelined for months, and subsequently slipped down the rankings, despite twice being a French Open finalist.
“It is a very important, very sad, very beautiful message that this season will be my last one,” Thiem posted on social media.
“There are some reasons behind it: firstly, of course, my wrist. It is not exactly the way it should be and how I want it. The second reason is my inner feeling: I have been thinking about this decision for a very long time.
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“I’ve had success and trophies which I never dreamt of. It was an incredible journey. In the end I came to the conclusion that this decision to end my career at the end of this season is the only right one.”
As Thiem re-connected with and thanked the US Open crowd on Monday, he paused several times.
The full-circle moment, which was aided by Shelton’s warm encouragement, clearly had an impact on the retiring former champion.
Read More on talkSPORT”I’m very grateful for everybody who came and everybody who got me the chance to play here for one last time,” he said.
Shelton, a talented young American, enjoyed a memorable run to the US Open semi-finals in 2023, where he ultimately lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
