“I couldn’t have imagined a better last Sunday” – Thiem honoured with ceremony in Vienna

Dominic Thiem’s final week on the ATP Tour has begun with a ceremony in his honour at the Vienna Open on Sunday.

The former Grand Slam champion, who announced earlier this year that he will be retiring after the ATP 500 tournament in his home country of Austria, played an exhibition set against Alexander Zverev to kick off proceedings, reminiscent of their 2020 US Open final.

As he was in their 2020 meeting, Thiem prevailed on Sunday, beating the German before kind words were shared about the 30-year-old.

“First and foremost, I’m losing a friend on the Tour, but of course we also played the greatest matches together. But it’s goodbye, not goodbye,” said Zverev, before adding: “I hope he gets bored in a year or two and comes back to the Tour again.”

A tribute from the Big Three was also played, with messages from Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

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

“You were always a super guy, also off the court,” Federer said, speaking the Austrian’s mother tongue. “Always fair. Your friendship was important on the Tour. We always got on well, and it was great for me. All the best with the future, and huge congratulations on your unbelievable career, Dominic. I am sure we will see each other soon, but for now, have a great evening.”

Thiem stands alongside Andy Murray as one of only two players outside of the Big Three to have at least five wins over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

The 17-time ATP titleist shared a little of what his retirement ceremony meant to him, as several of the Vienna Open contenders gave him a guard of honour walking out onto the centre court.

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

“It was an incredible journey. You were the most important ones, opponents and friends and it was always a pleasure to be with you. It means so much to me that you were there today.”

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