Novak Djokovic has reached out to fellow professional Dominic Thiem after the latter bid farewell to the US Open.
Rafael Nadal praised Thiem earlier this year, with the Austrian set to retire from tennis at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old lost three Grand Slam finals – two to Nadal and one to Djokovic – before winning the 2020 US Open.
Thiem met Ben Shelton in the US Open round one, with the latter coming out on top 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It represents his last major appearance, with Thiem soon calling time on his career after losing his battle with a persistent wrist injury.
Novak Djokovic has message for Dominic Thiem after his US Open farwell
Some of the game’s leading stars have now been reaching out to the Austrian, who has 17 career titles to his name.
Asked what made Thiem so difficult to play against, Djokovic said in his US Open press conference: “Well, I would like to congratulate him on a great Grand Slam career. I know he’s going to play I think his home tournament or maybe one or a few more other tournaments. I think that’s where he is going to retire, in Vienna.
“This is the only Grand Slam he has won. He has played I think another three finals. So just one of the nicest guys, really, on the tour for many years. He’s been respected. He’s been admired. He’s been loved by his peers, by colleagues, by everyone on the tour. Of course, fans.
“He put in so much work over the years, and I think he was a great example for many players that see what’s happening, so to say, behind the scenes. He always puts in the extra work, and the tenacity and intensity that he brings on and off the court in everything he does is something really remarkable.”
Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov react to Dominic Thiem’s exit
Thiem was once ranked number three in the world, but has fallen to 210th place after another tricky year on and off the court.
He has a two-seven record for 2024 so far, with one final farewell set for a home event in Vienna in October.
Joining Djokovic in congratulating Thiem on his achievements were Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov, who praised their fellow professional on X.
Kyrgios wrote: “Amazing career. Was a pleasure to call your last Grand Slam match. Champion,” with Shapovalov saying: “Tennis will miss you, was always a pleasure to share the court with you. Always one of the nicest and purest players on tour.”
Novak Djokovic says Dominic Thiem will be ‘remembered’
Thiem can certainly hold his head high after a superb career, which reached its summit in 2020 when he won the US Open and soared to number three in the ATP rankings.
He would have enjoyed further success if not for the unstoppable machines that are Nadal and Djokovic, but the latter says Thiem will certainly go down in tennis history.
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“It’s really unfortunate for a player of his caliber that was really almost on top of the world, and being a top-3, top-5 player for years to go through the injury of the wrist that really made him struggle,” said Djokovic.
“He was never the same player after that. It’s unfortunate. But, again, I guess when he draws the line, he can definitely be happy with what he has achieved, and he’ll be remembered.”
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