After Dominic Thiem’s Grand Slam career came to an end on Monday, Serbia’s legendary tennis player Novak Djokovic paid his respects. When the ‘Big Three’ retired, he was also predicted to be the next big thing.
Thiem’s career was significantly changed in 2021 when he sustained a severe wrist injury. His best performance was never recovered. At the end of the current season, Thiem ultimately decided to retire from professional tennis earlier this year.
Thiem was defeated by Ben Shelton in straight sets on Monday at the US Open, with a final score of 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. As a professional tennis player, Thiem is unlikely to participate in another major event; thus, that outcome effectively puts an end to his Grand Slam career.
According to a report, Djokovic praised Thiem and congratulated him on his successful Grand Slam career. The former world champion also expressed his sadness at witnessing a gifted athlete retire from competition at such a young age due to a health issue.
Djokovic stated his remarks about Thiem and said: “Well, I would like to congratulate him on a great Grand Slam career. 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.”
Djokovic further said: “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. It’s really unfortunate for a player of his calibre, who was really almost on top of the world and was a top-3, top-5 player for years, to go through the injury to the wrist that really made him struggle. 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.”
Djokovic says Dominic Thiem is a great example for other players and he always put in the extra work behind the scenes
“I’m sure you saw it was Dominic Thiem’s last major appearance today. You’ve had some memorable matches over the years. I’m just curious what made Dominic such… pic.twitter.com/kb7odo96GA
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 27, 2024
Djokovic at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
LWWWWWWLWW Ranked no.2, the Serbian has managed to achieve a 30-7 record in 2024. Novak is currently competing at the U.S. Open where he ousted the world no.138 Radu Albot 6-2 6-2 6-4.
Novak Djokovic will fight against the world no.109 Laslo Djere in the 2nd round. Their head to head is 2-0 for Djokovic.
Novak conquered 1 title in 2024 in Paris. The Serbian was the finalist in Wimbledon.
Novak won 99 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 20 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) after Shanghai. The main draw will start on the 30th of September.
Dominic Thiem in 2024
LLLLLLWLWL Now the world no.210, the Austrian played his last match on the 26th of August when he capitulated to world no.13 Ben Shelton 6-4 6-2 6-2 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open (draw).
This year Thiem has achieved a 7-13 match record.
Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem played each other 12 times. Their actual record is 7-5 for Djokovic. The last time they locked horns, Dominic Thiem won 7-5 6-7(10) 7-6(5) in the semifinal in London (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2020.
Here the video highlights.
