With Babolat racquets since 2015, Austrian champion Dominic Thiem retires from professional tennis at home during the ATP 500 in Vienna, a tournament he won in 2019. Ranked World No. 3 in 2020, the year he claimed his US Open title in New York (USA), "Domi" has been an outstanding brand ambassador, playing with the Babolat Pure Strike racquet and Babolat RPM Power strings. Dominic Thiem is one of the most prestigious members of the Babolat family: here is the story of a successful collaboration.
Elegance on and off the Court
Elegance. This is perhaps the best word to describe Dominic Thiem. A true gentleman on the court, known for both his technical brilliance and legendary sportsmanship, the Austrian closes the chapter on his 15-year career on the ATP Tour in Vienna, 10 of those years spent in collaboration with Babolat.
The Journey with Babolat
Dominic Thiem officially joined the Babolat team in 2015, playing with the "Pure Strike" racquet, designed by Babolat to offer precise control and exceptional feel for offensive players seeking high performance and the confidence to hit hard. The impact was immediate, as the Austrian won his first ATP 250 titles (Nice, Umag, Gstaad) that same season.
However, the initial connection with the brand dates back to the 2013 Australian Open. Jean-Christophe Verborg, Babolat’s Head of Competition since 2008, explains the process: “We typically sign young players, between 9 and 13 years old, like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, but we were determined to work with Dominic. To show our commitment, we visited him three times in Vienna at his father’s academy, and twice in Tenerife for testing, because we knew the Pure Strike racket was a perfect match for him. We were confident that Dominic would be an ideal ambassador for our ‘control’ segment, represented by the Pure Strike.”
A Highly Engaged Champion
A highly demanding champion, Dominic has always been open to Babolat's innovations aimed at maximizing his performance. He also played an active role in the development of the RPM Power strings and various generations of the Pure Strike racquet.
Dominic Thiem and Babolat have agreed to continue their collaboration. Éric Babolat proudly states, “We share the same values with Dominic. His gladiator spirit, combined with his exceptional sportsmanship and environmental awareness, has resonated with us for the past 10 years. Our shared dedication and high standards have led to the optimal development of his equipment. I am very proud of the partnership we’ve built.”
Dominic Thiem at a Glance
- Austrian, 31 years old
- World No. 3 in March 2020
- 17 ATP titles including the 2020 US Open
- 12 ATP finals, including the 202 Australian Open and 2018/2019 French Open
- With Babolat since 2015
- Racquet: Babolat Pure Strike / Strings: Babolat RPM Power