Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem have had many exciting Grand Slam battles, including the two Roland Garros finals in 2018 and 2019.
Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal (via X)
Rafael Nadal has joined multiple former and current tennis superstars in bidding farewell to Dominic Thiem upon his retirement. The Austrian announced the end of his career in May, stating that Vienna would be his final ATP event.
Nadal, who himself is retiring at the end of this year’s Davis Cup, shared a tribute to the 2020 US Open champion on his Instagram stories. Nadal’s two biggest rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, have also shared heartwarming tributes to Thiem.
Nadal and Thiem have had many memorable battles throughout their careers, particularly in Grand Slam tournaments. The Austrian is the only player besides Djokovic to have beaten Nadal on clay four or more times.
Their exciting Grand Slam encounters include the 2018 US Open quarterfinal and the 2020 Australian Open quarterfinal. The duo also contested two Grand Slam finals at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019, with the Spaniard emerging victorious on both occasions.
Dominic Thiem has shared an emotional social media post reflecting on his career after it came to a close on Tuesday, October 22. The former World No. 3 lost 7-6, 6-2 to Luciano Darderi in the opening round of Vienna.
An unforgettable evening that closes the chapter of my tennis career. A huge thank you to all my fans for your support over the years – playing in front of you one last time was simply breathtaking! Even though it was the right decision, I will miss this moment and the incredible atmosphere.
Dominic Thiem on his Instagram timeline
Although many have been quick to send their tributes to Thiem, the Austrian might be remembered as one of the biggest ‘what-ifs’ in tennis history. Thiem was on the verge of reaching his peak when he suffered a wrist injury during the 2021 grasscourt season.
It’s been an amazing journey, full of ups and downs, and I’m grateful for every experience! A special thank you to my family, coaches, friends, and partners! And of course, to you, tennis, for giving me more than I ever dreamed of.
Dominic Thiem added
Before that injury, Thiem was consistently challenging the Big 3—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. He had a positive head-to-head record against Federer (5-3) and even bageled Djokovic during their 2017 Roland Garros meeting.
The pinnacle of Thiem’s career was the 2020 US Open, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in five sets. The 31-year-old was two sets and a breakdown against the German before staging a remarkable comeback. In addition to this, he reached three other Grand Slam finals.
