Grigor Dimitrov talks about his ‘long’ battle with COVID-19

Grigor Dimitrov talks about his ‘long’ battle with COVID-19
Grigor Dimitrov during the Vienna Open

Bulgarian native Grigor Dimitrov had contracted COVID-19 after the Adria Tour, an exhibition event started by Novak Djokovic. He wasn’t the only one to get afflicted during the event, with Djokovic himself also testing positive.

Now, in a chat with BBC Sport from October, Dimitrov talked about his ‘long’ fight with the disease, and how it had ‘very unpredictable symptoms’.

“I shouldn’t have gone to the States,” says Grigor Dimitrov

Dimitrov chose to miss events like the Paris Masters and the Sofia Open to recuperate completely. He had taken the call to participate in the US Open despite not giving himself much rest. Now, he regrets that decision but made light of it.

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He said, “I almost feel I shouldn’t have gone to the States. But I had to test myself, I had to know where my body was at.”

The Bulgarian exited in the second round at Flushing Meadows. His clay season was relatively better, where he made the quarters at Rome and the fourth round at Roland Garros. He also reached the semis in the European Open and quarters at Vienna, part of the indoor hardcourt swing.

Dimitrov further talked about how the effects of the virus persisted for quite some time. “Every time I wanted to see it was maybe a couple of steps forward but maybe one step backwards. I feel way, way better – I don’t even take naps any more or anything like that. But there are some things here and there that you’re like ‘Oh man, that’s not the same’. It’s fine, I get it but who knows how this thing is going to go. All I hope is that I don’t get it again.” 

No regrets on playing in the Adria Tour

Novak Djokovic with Grigor Dimitrov

The Bulgarian was unsure of where, when, or how he contracted the coronavirus. However, he did participate in the Adria Tour, the infamous exhibition events hosted by Novak Djokovic. Several players had visited a nightclub during the tour and had gone on to contract the virus.

Despite this, Dimitrov had no regrets in taking part in the Adria Tour.

He was conscious of everyone he came in contact with when he decided to publicly announce his COVID-19 positive result. He explained, “As a player I could have easily stayed home and just not said a word, right? But I said to myself ‘no, that’s not right’. There were so many kids around me and god forbid they had some other health issues, then what would I do? Can I live with myself? No, I cannot.”

Dimitrov will be looking to participate in the 2021 season now. The world no. 19 missed out on the Nitto ATP Finals this time around after slipping further down the rankings.

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