Tennis legend Roger Federer has always inspired the young generation of players to take up the sport. The Swiss Maestro has a flamboyant game and his on-court demeanor attracted many players to follow in his footsteps. Federer has achieved all the big milestones in the sport and he is truly looked at as a role model by a lot of young players.

2020 US Open Champion Dominic Thiem, who is currently out of action due to a wrist injury, has always been inspired by Federer’s class. Thiem recalled the first Tennis match he saw as a young boy and how Federer inspired him with his one-handed backhand.

Thiem said while talking to Stats perform, “Maybe playing-wise he was the biggest inspiration obviously because of the one-handed backhand,” Thiem said. “Because he’s the only one of those three who has a one-handed backhand.”

The Austrian added that he tried to copy Federer’s style and now he also has a one-handed backhand.

“So I tried to copy his style a little bit of course, and then when I started to watch tennis, when I was maybe 7-8 years old, he was becoming the No. 1, it was around that time,” Thiem went on. “So he was the first one I witnessed, so he was from the beginning a great inspiration.”

Meanwhile, Thiem had the pleasure of meeting Federer for the first time when the latter invited the youngster to practice with him for the Wimbledon. As expected, Thiem was nervous and he also recalled his first tour match against the Swiss, in which he was beaten comprehensively.

“Then I had this first practise with him, I was so nervous and I think everybody can see that in the interview I gave after,” Thiem said. “And then big inspiration as well the first time I played against him in a match. He killed me, it was not nice.”

Thiem added that spending time with Federer gave him many great experiences.