Grigor Dimitrov Admits to Considering Retirement After Getting Injured at Wimbledon Against Jannik Sinner
Grigor Dimitrov could meet 11th seed Daniil Medvedev in the second round of the Paris Masters.
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Grigor Dimitrov (Image via X/AllAboutHQ)
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Many thoughts raced through Grigor Dimitrov‘s mind when he injured his right pectoral muscle after taking the first two sets off eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of Wimbledon. At the age of 34, such an injury can make a player think about retirement, and Dimitrov was no different.
It’s been nearly four months since Dimitrov collapsed on the court and winced in pain, holding his right shoulder, before walking off the court. He has recovered completely and arrived in Paris for the last Masters 1000 of the season. During his interview with Tennis Sweet Spot, the Bulgarian admitted that retirement thoughts crossed his mind while he was on the sidelines.
It’s a delicate matter… In such a situation, the shoulder is one of the most used parts by a tennis player, even more in my case, for hitting the one-handed backhand, so of course, you can think those things. Will I be able to do it again? Well, fortunately, I got a quite quick response, so to speak, within a week. But yes, of course, in moments like that, one can feel fear. It’s a completely human feeling, but I overcame it quickly.
Dimitrov returned to action on October 27. The unseeded player clashed with fellow unseeded player, big server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, whom he knocked out 7-6(5), 6-1. In Paris, Dimitrov is a former runner-up. Back in 2023, Novak Djokovic lifted his last Masters 1000 title here by defeating the former World No.3.
The nine-time ATP singles titlist has one Masters 1000 title to his name, the 2017 Cincinnati Masters. Apart from the Paris Masters final, Dimitrov also played last year’s Miami Open championship clash.
Grigor Dimitrov remains positive despite his injury
Grigor Dimitrov is not a newcomer, so instead of frustrations, he tried to stay positive. He disconnected from tennis, and it helped him “observe everything from a third-person perspective”.
I was surprised by the strength with which I faced everything; I didn’t see it as a negative thing. Of course, you have doubts, many questions, it goes without saying. Saying that everything went well wouldn’t be accurate, but that’s when I realized that I am capable of facing problems, especially from a mental point of view.
Grigor Dimitrov told Tennis Sweet Spot
Last year at the Paris Masters, Dimitrov lost to Karen Khachanov in straight sets in the quarterfinals. This year, he reached Masters 1000 quarterfinal twice: at the Miami Open, where he also played the semifinals, and at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Grigor Dimitrov could face Daniil Medvedev in the second round
On October 28, Daniil Medvedev will clash with Jaume Munar in the first round of the Paris Masters. The winner will lock horns with Dimitrov.
Medvedev is a former champion in Paris, winning it in 2020 by defeating Alexander Zverev. Against the Russian ace, Dimitrov has played 11 matches, winning just three of them.
If they meet, it’s going to be their first encounter since the fourth round of last year’s Wimbledon, which the 2021 US Open champion won after being given the walkover. Dimitrov has never clashed with Munar.
Medvedev recently ended his title drought by defeating Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open final. It was surprisingly his first title since his career’s first clay-court win at the 2023 Italian Open. Dimitrov, on the other hand, has not yet reached a final this year. The last title he won was the 2024 Brisbane International.
Dimitrov is also playing doubles at the Paris Masters along with Nicolas Mahut. The pair is scheduled to lock horns with Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in their opening round.
Also read: Andrey Rublev Admits he Might Take “a Pause” From Tennis as he’s Completely “Worn out”
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