Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem retirements leave Grigor Dimitrov ‘sad’ – ‘Takes a little piece away from you’

Grigor Dimitrov reflected on Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem’s respective decisions to announce their retirements this month, labelling it “sad”. Fans will still have another opportunity to see Nadal out on the court when he represents Spain at the Davis Cup finals next month.

However, Thiem pulled the curtain down on his career after competing in Vienna this week.

Grigor Dimitrov, in an exclusive interview with Eurosport, has opened up on the retirements of Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, saying the pair stepping away “takes a little piece away from you.”

Nadal will call time on a glittering playing career following November’s Davis Cup finals after making the announcement on October 11.

Thiem’s goodbye came this month, as the former US Open champion ended his career on home soil in Vienna last Wednesday

When asked about Nadal’s retirement, Dimitrov told Eurosport: “It’s sad. I saw Dominic a couple of days ago – he was in Vienna as well. I cannot help but think about that as well.

“Of course, everything has a beginning and an end, but seeing competitors that you grew up with and seeing these guys that are pushing you to do better, it takes a little piece away from you; that’s just how it is.”

The 33-year-old admits he will miss the camaraderie which the departing generation of tennis players brought to the tour.

“I have respect for the new generation and everyone that is playing out there, but off the court it was a lot of fun; we were always poking fun at each other and I don’t see that now,” Dimitrov explained.

“I miss that healthy competitiveness, but I have nothing but respect for these players.”

Dimitrov, a three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, is not ready to call it a day anytime soon, and believes he can still challenge at the highest echelons of the game.

“I know everyone’s time is going to come up, and I’m not that close to the end, but I’m closer than a lot of the players,” he said.

“However, I’m still a contender, I’m still playing, and I’m going to keep on fighting to the end to stay at the top.

“If my body allows me to do the things that I’m doing right now, then I’m more than happy.”

Dimitrov will compete at this week’s Paris Masters in Bercy, but admitted he was uncertain whether he would turn out at the ATP Finals, if he qualifies or is selected as an alternate.

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