New Delhi. Tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal congratulated Dominic Thiem on his retirement, as the Austrian ended his professional career with a first round loss against Luciano Darderi at the Erste Bank Open.
The Austrian player won a major title at the 2020 US Open. He also reached the finals of three other Slams, winning 17 ATP singles titles; Achieved careerhigh ATP ranking of No. 3; and remained in the top 10 for the better part of six years.
“A wonderful career has come to an end. Congratulations Domi. No matter the surface, you always found a way to beat me with your brilliant backhand,” Federer wrote in an Instagram story. “But most importantly, That you did it with decency and sportsmanship.”
Thiem has won five of his seven ATP head2head meetings against Federer. Their only championship encounter came at the 2019 Paraíba Open, where the Austrian won his only ATP Masters 1000 title.
Nadal, who won his series 106 (Thiem had four claycourt wins), also posted an Instagram Story, sharing the same sentiment as many: “Danke Domi”.
Thiem compiled a formidable, even shocking, record against the 'Big Three' – Novak Djokovic, Nadal and Federer. He finished his career with a 1619 record against the Big Three, winning 46 percent of his matches.
He holds a 52 lead over Federer (including a win on grass in Stuttgart in 2016, (coincidentally Thiem's worst surface); according to ATP data, Djokovic (the Austrian played his had lost the first five matches); and lost 610 against Nadal (including four wins over the Spaniard on his favorite red clay).
In the final pro match of his career, Thiem performed brilliantly in the first set, particularly with his trademark backhand. Points were won consecutively. Thiem was not only able to keep up with the world number 42, but also took the lead with a break. However, Darderi leveled the score at 44, after which both players were successful in saving their serve. In the tiebreak, Thiem already had a lead at 42 and a set point at 65. Dardery came back and won the first set 76 (6). Dardery started the second set with a break and did not let the lead slip away. In the end, it was 76 (6), 62 to the Italian and Thiem was denied a sensation in his farewell from professional tennis.
The Lower Austrian player received a standing ovation after match point and choreography prepared by fans also honored the US Open winner. And: The racket with which he hit his last balls in the Wiener Stadthalle was placed in a display case immediately after the match and can now be admired in the “Official Tennis Experience” exhibition in Hall F of the Stadthalle.
Thiem thanked fans in an emotional speech, “I've said a lot of goodbyes over the past few months, but today I want to say thank you for all the sensational years. I'm only one part of this career. The whole journey has been a It's been like a dream and I wish this afternoon, this evening could have been better than this – thank you.
Thiem's close friend Alexander Zverev, who played a friendly match with the Austrian in Vienna, posted on Instagram, “Unfortunately everyone's tennis career will end sooner or later. But the people you meet and who “Make friendships that hopefully last a lifetime.”
“Thank you Domithiem for the toughest battles we've ever had on the court. Thank you for the most unforgettable moments we were able to share off the court. Thank you for showing that despite being one of the biggest rivals True friendship is also possible. See you soon, my friend.
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.