‘This is a disgrace’: French Open savaged over Dominic Thiem snub

The tennis world has been left up in arms after the blowtorch was turned on the French Open after an utterly heartless call.

Dominic Thiem has to go through qualifying for his French Open swansong. Photo: Getty Images and AFP

The French Open has been slammed after snubbing two-time finalist Dominic Thiem for a wildcard in what would have been his final entry to the tournament.

Thiem announced last week at the age of just 30 that he would retire from professional tennis after his career was ruined by a wrist injury.

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The Austrian looked like he could be one of the players to make inroads to the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, having played two French Open finals and Australian Open decider before finally breaking through with his maiden grand slam title at the 2020 US Open.

But it appears likely that it will be Thiem’s only grand slam victory after a recuring wrist injury derailed his career from 2021.

Despite coming back from the injury blows, Thiem’s wrist has never been the same and he’s never been able to reach the heights he once reached, which took him to No. 3 in the world after his Australian Open final loss to Djokovic in 2020.

Currently world No. 117, Thiem was hoping for a wildcard for the French Open for what would be a farewell appearance.

Although there’s not a lot of room for sentimentality in professional sport, it’s also not like Thiem has been completely inconsequential in the tournament, having twice made the final but both time falling short against Rafael Nadal.

Nadal consoles Thiem after the 2019 French Open final. Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP

Fans have been left fuming after the French Open wildcard list was released on Tuesday, meaning Thiem will have to battle through qualifying to reach the main draw.

He could also be thrust into the main draw with five withdrawals.

Thiem won’t be alone with the likes of Simona Halep, Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Emma Raducanu also not given wildcards.

The French Tennis Federation confirmed a majority of the slots would go to French players

Former World No. 11 Alize Cornet, the world No. 99 who just missed direct entry just before the cut off and is also set to retire after the French Open, was one of the wildcard recipients

Luckily for Australia Ajla Tomljanovic and 25-year-old world No. 111 Adam Walton have both been given wildcards.

Americans Sachia Vickery and Nicolas Moreno de Alboran were also given wildcards through an agreement between the French Tennis Federation and United States Tennis Association.

Six Frenchmen and six Frenchwomen were given wildcards, with world No. 140 Pierre-Hughes Herbert the lowest ranked man handed direct entry to the tournament.

Tennis journalist Jose Morgado posted: “I’m sorry but Thiem’s case is absolutely unforgivable. Absolute non sense from the French Tennis Federation.

Tennis reporter Craig Gabriel wrote: “The French Open wildcard snubs for major winners Simona Halep, Dominic Thiem, Caroline Wozniacki, Venus Williams, Emma Raducanu. Simo won the French and Domi and Venus were finalists. Brutal!”

Tennis writer Christopher Clarey commented: “Hard to believe this man didn’t get a French Open main-draw wildcard. Make that two handkerchiefs, please.”

We can’t believe it either Dominic. Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Murray Musing podcast co-host Scott Barclay said: “I like that all sides of tennis twitter are coming together to collectively s**t on the decision to not give Dominic Thiem a wildcard for the French Open.”

Sportsnet reporter Ben Lewis added: “Cannot fathom how two time French Open finalist and grand slam winner Dominic Thiem is not granted a wildcard in his final year.

“Just so head scratching, foolish and downright disappointing to not give Thiem a main draw spot in what is the final season of his career.”

USA Sports columnist Dan Wolken said: “Tournaments can give wildcards to whoever they want. That’s the point of wildcards. But the French Open not giving one to two-time finalist Dominic Thiem who just announced his retirement is an objectively horrendous decision. You guys stink.”

Another fan posted: “This is a disgrace, a real embarrassment for the tournament. Dominic Thiem should get a wildcard on his last season.”

And there were plenty more strong reactions.

It’s a situation that would be unfathomable if 14-time champion Nadal didn’t have a protected ranking of 9 for the tournament, despite having dropped to world No. 305.

Can Rafa make it 15? Photo by William WEST / AFP

It’s strongly expected to be Nadal’s French Open, when he holds the all-time record for most titles at a single grand slam, ahead of Djokovic’s 10 Australian Open crowns.

Nadal had previously said that he would only play at the French Open if he feels competitive after a raft of injury problems over the last two years.

Having been thumped 6-1 6-3 at the Italian Open earlier this week, Nadal said the decision to play at Roland Garros was “not clear in my mind today”.

“But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I going to say be in Roland Garros and try my best,” Nadal told reporters.

“Physically I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say not playing in the most important event of my tennis career.

“Let’s see what’s going on, how I feel myself mentally tomorrow, after tomorrow, and in one week.”

With AFP