“One last dance!”: Thiem receives tribute in his farewell tournament | ATP Tour

One

“One last dance!”: Thiem receives tribute at his farewell tournament

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, among those who paid tribute to the Austrian

October 20, 2024

The celebration of Dominic Thiem’s ​​legendary career has begun at the Erste Bank Open.

The former number 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings was honored on Sunday under the roof of the ATP 500 in Vienna. After Thiem played an exhibition set against Alexander Zverev, the man he defeated to win his only Grand Slam title at the 2020 US Open, a host of tennis and other sports icons gathered to pay tribute to him in light of that he retires.

“It was an incredible trip. You were the most important, opponents and friends and it was always a pleasure to be with you,” Thiem said after walking through a hall of honor made up of stars such as Frances Tiafoe, Matteo Berrettini and Jack Draper, as well as his former coach Nicolas Massú and the Germans Boris Becker, Tommy Haas and Matthias Bachinger. “It means a lot to me that they were there today.”

Things we love to see 🤗#DankeDomi | @ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/Rzvtm4RX51

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 20, 2024

Thiem is a huge celebrity in Austria and has been a popular presence on the ATP Tour among fans and players since turning professional in 2011. He lifted 17 trophies at tour level before his career was cut short by a serious wrist injury in 2021. Although he returned to competing in 2022, he was unable to regain his best form and announced in May that 2024 would be his last season on the Tour.

Thiem still has one last ATP Tour event to play before hanging up his racket. The 31-year-old will face Luciano Darderi in the first round in Vienna, where he lifted the title in 2019.

“I couldn’t have imagined a better last Sunday in Vienna. I hope to see many of you again on Tuesday,” Thiem told his home crowd. “It hurts incredibly that the trip is over, but it was a wonderful moment.”

Among Thiem’s ​​former rivals who paid tribute to the Austrian at the Wiener Stadthalle were Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who appeared in a pre-recorded video. Thiem is one of only two players (along with Andy Murray) to have achieved at least five Lexus ATP Head2Head wins against each of the ‘Big Three’.

“You were always a great guy, also off the court,” Federer said in German. “Always fair. Your friendship was important on the Tour. We always got along and it was great for me. All the best for the future and huge congratulations on your incredible career, Dominic. I’m sure we’ll see each other soon, but for now, have a great night.”

Djokovic said: “Thank you very much for everything you have given to all of us, but especially to tennis. I am glad that you have the opportunity to say goodbye in Vienna. One last dance. I wish you a great tournament, with all your family present, and that you celebrate it, because you deserve it, friend. All the best.”

Zverev also paid his own tribute to him on the court.

“First of all, I lose a friend on the Tour, but of course we also play the best games together. But it’s a see you later, not a goodbye,” said the German, expressing what many Thiem fans are thinking: “I hope he gets bored in a year or two and returns to the Tour again.”