12: Dominic Thiem: The Hidden Pressures of Pro Tennis, Rafa Nadal Battles & Life After the Tour | EP 12 cover art

12: Dominic Thiem: The Hidden Pressures of Pro Tennis, Rafa Nadal Battles & Life After the Tour | EP 12

12: Dominic Thiem: The Hidden Pressures of Pro Tennis, Rafa Nadal Battles & Life After the Tour | EP 12

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Summary

 In this episode of More Than A Name, Max Whittle sits down with former US Open champion Dominic Thiem for a deep and honest conversation about life during and after professional tennis.
Dominic reflects on the relentless pressure of competing at the top of the sport, what it really felt like winning the 2020 US Open, and the emotional toll of a wrist injury that ultimately led to his retirement in 2024.
The guys also talk about Dominic's new ventures after tennis, including his academy in Austria and his renewable energy project 'Thiem Energy', the mental side of elite sport, social media criticism, and his favourite memories from his epic Roland Garros battles with Rafael Nadal.
Dominic also opens up about the moments he felt 'empty' despite success, how he is prioritising mental health in retirement, and his passion for breathwork, longevity and personal growth.
At the end of the conversation, Dominic ranks his top five all-time one-handed backhands in tennis history. This is one of the most reflective conversations Dominic has had since stepping away from the sport.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:23 Life After Tennis — His Academy & Renewable Energy Ventures
03:06 Growing Up in Vienna & Reaching the Elite Level
06:20 His Childhood & Total Dedication to Tennis
11:07 The “Constant Tension” of Being a Professional Player
15:05 Social Media & How Athletes Are Treated Today
17:55 The Worst Comments He Received in the Media
19:24 His Relationship With His Brother Moritz
24:40 His Spiritual Side & Breathwork
27:30 His Interest in Longevity & Health Optimisation
29:35 Why He Struggled to Reflect After Winning the US Open
31:40 Roland Garros Finals vs Rafael Nadal
37:50 Tennis During Covid & His Changing Relationship With the Sport
46:18 Wrist Injuries & Accepting Early Retirement
52:40 Dinner With Nadal, Federer & Murray
57:20 The Rollercoaster of Winning the US Open
58:00 Feeling “Empty” During Certain Moments of His Career
01:05:20 Reflecting Positively on His Career
01:06:35 How Tennis Can Help its Players
01:09:05 Dominic Thiem’s Top 5 One-Handed Backhands Ever
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