Dominic Thiem, the Austrian tennis player, is set to retire from professional tennis. His farewell party will take place in Vienna on October 20, where he will play an exhibition match against Alexander Zverev, his opponent in the 2020 US Open final. This event marks the end of Thiem’s illustrious career, which includes his only Grand Slam victory at the 2020 US Open.
But what makes this moment even more special is the heartfelt message Thiem received from none other than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. This trio of tennis legends, often referred to as the “Big 3,” took time to praise Thiem’s career and contributions to the sport. The video message is a testament to the respect and admiration they have for Thiem’s dedication and achievements on the court.
In recent days, Thiem had expressed a hint of bitterness about not receiving an invitation to a farewell party from his peers. However, this surprise from Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic has surely closed the circle for him. Thiem mentioned in an interview that he is happy about this development and feels relief. He also emphasized that the last few months have been a rollercoaster ride, but he wants to play at a good level in Vienna and still has that spark of ambition left.
After retiring from professional tennis, Thiem plans to do less and give back more to the planet. He aims to follow his family’s academy path, increasing the chances for young players to follow a path similar to his own. Thiem believes that tennis is one of the loneliest sports and wants to help from Austria.
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