“You know how much I admire you, and respect you,” Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer praise Dominic Thiem ahead of the Austrian’s retirement

Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem recently cut short his career due to injuries, calling it quits at only 31.

“You know how much I admire you, and respect you,” Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer praise Dominic Thiem ahead of the Austrian’s retirement

(L-R) Dominic Thiem, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (via ibtimes and Imago)

At his peak, Dominic Thiem was one of the strongest payers do the ATP Tour. In an era dominated by the Big 3, he managed to register at least five wins each against Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer.

Sadly for the Austrian, injuries have severely curtailed his promising career. Thiem took to social media in May this year to announce that he will be retiring from the sport at the end of the 2024 season.

YouTube video

Thiem was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Austrian soccer captain and Real Madrid player David Alaba at the Lotterien Sporthilfe Gala 2024 on Thursday (October 3) evening. After he was handed the award, the Big 3, in pre-recorded videos, praised Thiem and wished him well in retirement.

FS Video

Hey Domi, how are you doing I just want to congratulate you for this lifetime achievement award, very well deserved, very happy for you, you know how much I admire you, and respect you so I wish you all the best, enjoy tonight and see ya around.

Rafael Nadal said

Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal went head-to-head 16 times over the years, with the former winning six times. Two of the biggest matches of Thiem’s career, the French Open finals in 2018 and 2019, came against the Spaniard.

RELATED
Dominic Thiem reveals no member of Big 3 has ‘contacted’ him after sending invitations for his farewell party
Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic praises Dominic Thiem, excited for Austrian to end career on home soil

Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic have faced each other 12 times on the ATP Tour, with the latter holding a narrow 7-5 lead in the head-to-head. They first met in 2014 when the Serbian won their second-round match at the Shanghai Open.

Dominic-Thiem-US_Open
Dominic Thiem with his US Open trophy (Image via Vogue)

Thiem and Djokovic last locked horns at the semifinals of the 2020 ATP Finals, where the former won 7-5, 6-7(10), 7-6(5). The Austrian will be in action for the last time in his career at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, which is set to kick off later in October.

Djokovic thanked Thiem for his contributions to tennis and said that he was glad the 31-year-old could bring the curtains down on his career on home soil surrounded by family and friends.

Thank you very much for all you have given to all of us, particularly tennis, I am glad that you will have an opportunity to say goodbye in Viena, one last dance, I wish you a great tournament, with all family members present and celebrate it, you deserve it my friend, all the best.

Novak Djokovic said

Roger Federer, who retired from the sport at the 2022 Laver Cup, also bid farewell to Thiem. The Swiss maestro, however, chose to share his message in German rather than English.

Tennis will miss you very, Very much.

Roger Federer said
RELATED
Dominic Thiem reveals which member of the Big 3 was the toughest to beat for him
Dominic Thiem Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic Roger Federer

In all, Thiem won 17 tour-level titles, including his sole Grand Slam at the 2020 US Open. He also has one Masters 1000 title to his name, which he won in Indian Wells in 2019 by beating Federer in the final.