Roger Federer sends tearjerking message to Dominic Thiem as Austrian retires

Dominic Thiem will call time on his career after this month’s Vienna Open.

When he gets ready to retire on home soil later this month, Roger Federer led the moving remembrances of Dominic Thiem. After declaring that this season will be his final as a professional five months ago, the Austrian will lay down his racket following the Vienna Open.

Thiem reached three Grand Slam finals before finally going all the way at the US Open in 2020. He reached a career-high ranking of third that year, putting himself amongst the ‘Big Three’ when they were still dominating the sport.

Less than a year after his triumph at Flushing Meadows, Thiem ran into problems with his wrist and did not compete on the ATP Tour for 10 months, which saw him fall out of the world’s top 350.

The 31-year-old made a comeback last year but he was unable to rediscover the form which made him a force in Grand Slam tournaments. And he announced, back in May, that he hoped to end his career in his homeland.

The main draw of the Vienna Open gets began on October 21. As Thiem was about to say goodbye, he received the Lotterien Sporthilife-Gala 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer all sent meaningful notes to commemorate the moment. Federer said, “Tennis will miss you very, very much.” “You know how much I admire you,” remarked Nadal, and Djokovic responded, “Thank you for everything you gave us all.”