Austrian tennis legend Thomas Muster wrapped up his tennis career at the age of 44 on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to teenage compatriot Dominic Thiem in an emotional exit at the Austrian Open.

The 1995 Roland Garros champion and former No 1 who ruled the clay surface in the 1990s and was known for his ironman training regime, was unable to work a miracle at the Stadthalle against Thiem as he went down, 6-2, 6-3.

Muster bade farewell by throwing his racquet and towels into an appreciative crowd of home fans, who had entered and would exit to a standing ovation. The one-time toughest man in tennis at times looked overcome with the scene.

"I never had a chance to say goodbye," said Muster. "This is such a great goodbye. This is definitely my last appearance on the ATP.

"It was my last match, it was very exciting to end it in Vienna and very emotional. It was such a send off.

"I didn't know whether to cry or play," he said.

Muster, who showed his iron will by fighting back after severing left knee ligaments when a drunk driver crashed into him in 1989 after he reached the International Players Championship final in Key Biscayne where he was to face Ivan Lendl, said he did not feel he had over extended his welcome.

"My last match was very exciting, I had a great year-and-a-half on the tour, it was great to test myself to get out and practise every day with the guys.

"I enjoyed my (last) year and a half on the tour every much. I loved going out there every week, feeling myself getting better. I saw how much I really enjoyed tennis."

Agence France-Presse