NEW YORK — Though his last shot flew beyond the baseline, it was still a moment for Dominic Thiem to smile as he made his way to the net.

Between 2017 and 2020, Thiem ranked no lower than fourth in the world of tennis. He frequently held a spot even higher. He reached four Grand Slam finals, boasted nearly an even record against tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, and ultimately secured his first Grand Slam victory at the U.S. Open.

However, Thiem has long recognized that he wouldn’t be able to compete at that level again. Years of intense physical strain to match the best players had taken a toll on his body. The wrist he had surgically repaired, which once generated tremendous power, could no longer deliver the damaging shots required against top-tier opponents. Several months ago, at the age of 30, the Austrian decided to give the majors one last try, planning to compete in Vienna one final time before retiring.

In many respects, Monday’s event was the most significant stop on his farewell tour. Not because Thiem was expected to claim victory against the 13th-seeded American Ben Shelton—who won decisively with a score of 6-4, 6-2, 6-2—but because it allowed Thiem to experience what he missed during his previous game at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Applause, and perhaps even deeper appreciation.

“This is a truly significant moment for me, as I achieved my greatest success here on this court,” Thiem stated to the audience after a brief retirement ceremony. “Unfortunately, I experienced this success without any of you present. It was an amazing moment, but also a rather sad one.”

Every aspiring tennis player dreams of the moment they win a Grand Slam. No one, however, imagines doing it in front of an empty audience with silence surrounding them as the championship point is scored.

Yet, that was the context in which Thiem triumphed in 2020 after a tense five-set match against Alexander Zverev.

Fast forward just four years, and that entire period feels like a surreal past, thankfully behind us. The necessary adjustments made to host events like the U.S. Open were far from perfect, and it was clear, even then, that Thiem deserved a far better celebration for his Grand Slam achievement.

Throughout his career, Thiem had given tennis fans every reason to believe more victories were coming. He was at the peak of his athleticism and well-positioned to claim more titles as legends Nadal and Djokovic aged.

However, Thiem has not captured another professional title since. His wrist problems resurfaced in early 2021, and when he returned nearly nine months later, the exceptional game that took him to the top of the sport was no longer there. There were some brief moments of strong play, but they were not lasting. The powerful strokes that had defined his style—both forehand and backhand—had diminished to an average level.

“The sensation in my forehand never returned to what it was,” Thiem admitted on Monday. “Mentally, it was hard to accept this reality. Nevertheless, I am grateful for my previous career and never anticipated reaching such heights of success, so I hold no regrets.”

Fortunately, Thiem is departing the sport feeling content and fulfilled about his accomplishments rather than resentful over opportunities lost. However, it’s a little bittersweet to consider that he may not receive the acknowledgment in the history books that he truly deserves. Those who label him a one-Slam wonder are missing the larger picture.

In a time when it was nearly impossible for anyone to regularly defeat the Big 3, Thiem managed to beat Djokovic five times out of their 12 encounters, including victories at the 2017 and 2019 French Open. He won six out of 16 matches against Nadal, and he had a memorable 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 triumph in the 2020 Australian Open quarterfinals. He also posted a 5-2 record against Federer, including a win in the 2019 Indian Wells final.

“I had legendary matches against the best players of our era, perhaps the greatest players in history,” he shared. “Now, those memories are incredible. But at that time, it was crucial for me to know that I could win when stepping onto the court against Novak or the other top players.”

In recent years, Thiem acknowledged that he no longer possessed that confidence. Coming to terms with this realization allowed him to focus on the normal life ahead of him.

He wanted to savor the experience rather than dwell on his past tennis career.

Yet, he longed for one final opportunity on Ashe court, to receive the admiration and gratitude that evaded him four years earlier on the most triumphant day of his life. It was indeed a well-deserved farewell.

“I really attempted to absorb every instant in this arena,” he shared. “Naturally, I’m not at the level needed to compete against players like Ben, so I aimed to cherish every moment. I’m content.”

Stay connected with columnist Dan Wolken on social media @DanWolken