Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer send messages to Dominic Thiem ahead of his retirement

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer send messages to Dominic Thiem ahead of his retirement

 

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have all sent heartfelt messages to Dominic Thiem ahead of the Austrian’s retirement.

Thiem made the last Grand Slam appearance of his glittering career at the 2024 US Open and he will retire at his home tournament in Vienna later this month.

 

The 2020 US Open champion announced in May that this would be the final season of his career, having struggled since suffering a serious wrist injury in 2021.

 

“There are some reasons behind it,” Thiem explained in an Instagram post in May. “Firstly, my wrist is not exactly the way it should be and it is not exactly the way how I want it and the second reason is my inner feeling.

 

“I was thinking about this decision for a very long time. I was thinking very carefully about it. I was thinking about the whole journey as a tennis player, which was incredible. I have had success, I have won trophies I never dreamt of.

 

“The journey was incredible, all the ups and downs. It was an incredible experience which I was so thankful for and in the end I came to the conclusion that this decision to end my career by the end of the season is the only right one.”

A significant part of Thiem’s legacy is how much of a threat he was to each of the ‘Big Three’ of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer during his prime. He recorded six wins against Nadal (6-10) and five wins against both Djokovic (5-7) and Federer (5-2).

At the 2024 edition of the Lotterien Sporthilfe Gala, Austria’s largest sports awards ceremony, Thiem was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nadal, Djokovic and Federer all paid tribute to Thiem in videos that were played after he received his award.