Federer to Thiem: "You always find a way to beat me".
© AFP
Dominic Thiem has just called time on his career.
Beaten by Luciano Darderi in the first round of the ATP 500 in Vienna (7-6, 6-2), the Austrian has put a definitive end to his brilliant career.
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Naturally, many players paid tribute to the great champion that was the former world number 3.
This was particularly true of Roger Federer, who always had a hard time beating Thiem.
In fact, in 7 meetings, the 'Dominator' won 5 times and even beat the Swiss on all surfaces (twice on clay, twice on hard court and once on grass).
Full of class, the Maestro paid tribute to his former rival, declaring: "Whatever the surface, you always found a way to beat me with your thunderous backhands.
But above all, you did it with grace and sportsmanship."
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