"I didn't deserve it" - Dominic Thiem dismisses hard feelings about being denied French Open 2024 wildcard

Dominic Thiem recently opened up on being shunned for a wildcard spot in this year's French Open. The Austrian announced earlier this month that 2024 will mark his last season on the ATP Tour.

Thiem, who is placed 131st in this week's ATP PIF rankings, has been struggling with his right wrist for some time now. The 30-year-old's injury woes have eventually led him to consider an early retirement. Consequently, the 2024 edition of the French Open will be the final time he plays on the famed terre battue.

In that context, many tennis fans expected Dominic Thiem to receive a wildcard for the main draw of the men's competition in Paris. However, the organizers overlooked him for the wildcard despite his runner-up finishes at the tournament in 2018-19.

Thiem hasn't let their decision bog him down, though, and is gearing up for a main draw entry at Roland Garros through the qualifiers. He won his first-qualifying round match earlier on Monday (May 20), coming from a set down to beat Italy's Franco Agamenone 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The Austrian recently admitted that he should've brought his singles ranking within the direct entry cut for the claycourt Major. He also claimed that he was content with his 10 career main draw appearances in Paris.

"Honestly I had a long time to be in a good ranking," Dominic Thiem said. "I had enough tournaments and enough time to climb up the ranking and I didn’t do it, so I kind of didn’t deserve it and that’s fine. I had 10 main draw appearances in the last years so that’s more than enough."

The two-time French Open finalist will face Finland's Otto Virtanen in the second qualifying round in Paris. The two players have never met on either the main tour or the Challenger circuit, so their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.

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Dominic Thiem expresses pride in his career ahead of 2024 retirement: "I have had success, I have won trophies I never dreamt of"

Dominic Thiem poses with the 2020 US Open trophy

Dominic Thiem enjoyed a great career at the top echelons of the ATP Tour. Having turned pro in 2011, the Austrian won 17 titles. He won his maiden Major title at the 2020 US Open and recorded his lone Masters-level triumph at the 2019 BNP Paribas Open, while also enjoying runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and the French Open.

Thiem maintained in his retirement statement that the current condition of his wrist and his feelings concerning his career attributed to his decision.

"There are some reasons behind it. Firstly my wrist is not exactly the way it should be and it is not exactly the way how I want it and the second reason is my inner feeling," Dominic Thiem told ATP Tour. "I was thinking about this decision. I was thinking about this decision for a very long time."

The 30-year-old also expressed gratitude for winning the biggest titles in the sport.

"I have had success, I have won trophies I never dreamt of. The journey was incredible, all the ups and downs," he added. "It was an incredible experience which I was so thankful for and in the end I came to the conclusion that this decision to end my career by the end of the season is the only right one."