A decision that is (a little) talking. When the invitations (wild cards) for Roland-Garros, which will begin next Sunday, were announced, an expected name was not listed. That of Dominic Thiem, ex-3rd in the world and double finalist Porte d’Auteuil (2018, 2019). The latter will therefore have to go through the qualifications, which begin this Monday, and face the Italian Franco Agamenone. If this news got the world of tennis talking so much, it is also and above all because Dominic Thiem announced that he wanted to end his career at the end of 2024, at only 30 years old. Since his serious wrist injury in 2021, the Austrian has no longer been able to regain his former level and is languishing around the top 100. Among the reasons behind this “carefully considered” decision, he cites the still delicate state of his right wrist, but also “a deep feeling” which has been driving him for “a long time”.
His latest results do not speak for him. The winner of the 2019 US Open has only won two matches in 2024, ATP and Challenger circuits combined. His best result was a second round loss against Richard Gasquet, during an ATP 250 tournament in Estoril, Portugal. Dominic Thiem will therefore have to raise his level of play, one last time, at Roland-Garros, to hope to have a farewell from the fans during the big draw.
During the qualifying week, renamed Opening Week, from May 20 to 24, Dominic Thiem will possibly meet up with former compatriots from the world elite. Diego Schwartzman, ex-5th in the world and 142nd in the ranking today, who will also stop playing the little yellow ball in February 2025. But also Benoît Paire, ex-top 20, who could also move away from tennis soon, after numerous attempts to return to the forefront in recent years.
Among women too, some were snubbed. Emma Raducanu, Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep (finally absent in Paris) had to fight a week before the others to hope to join the “real” Parisian tournament. Some see it as a lack of respect for tennis “legends”, while others underline the FFT’s choice to give its protégés the chance.
“He (Thiem) has an extraordinary career. But young people who are between 110th and 130th also deserve it. I find it normal to favor them,” defended Lucas Pouille on his X account (ex-Twitter), even though he himself did not get any help from the FFT. The body is often criticized for its “self-centeredness” whereas in England, during Wimbledon in July, we often open up internationally. Here, the situation is different. The idea is to breathe new life into French tennis, after the period of the Four Musketeers (Monfils, Tsonga, Gasquet, Simon), and shed light on these young French people who battle on the secondary circuit.
In addition, two wild cards for the main draw are reserved for Tennis Australia and the American Tennis Federation, as part of an exchange of invitations during the two Grand Slams (Australian Open, US Open). A system which therefore limits the possibilities, and which is added to the French and International race wild cards. These two invitations reward the French players who have scored the most points since 2024. A way of pushing the “Frenchies” to fight for the precious sesame.
More French people also mean more people in the stands during “Opening Week” to ignite the stands with heated supporters. In recent weeks, a collective of young French students created Tribune Bleue. A group to support French players around the world. They will certainly be there, at Roland-Garros, this Monday to encourage the French. The others will undoubtedly be very attentive to the performances of “Domi”.