“We are Bulgarian brothers,” Novak Djokovic excited to be in Sofia ahead of exhibition match against Grigor Dimitrov

Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic expressed joy at being in Bulgaria for the exhibition match against Grigor Dimitrov.

“We are Bulgarian brothers,” Novak Djokovic excited to be in Sofia ahead of exhibition match against Grigor Dimitrov

Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov (Image via X)

Novak Djokovic stated that he was happy to return to Bulgaria to take on Grigor Dimitrov in an exhibition match. The two ATP stars are set to lock horns in the Postbank Visa Tennis Gala.

The event is being organized by the Grigor Dimitrov Foundation and is set to take place on September 17 at the Arena Sofia Hall in Bulgaria. All proceeds from the match will be going towards the foundation’s various projects.

YouTube video

After landing in Bulgaria, Djokovic spoke to the media ahead of the event. He expressed joy on his return to the country and stated that he was glad to help Dimitrov’s foundation.

FS Video
It is a pleasure to be here for the second time. In 2012 it was for another cause, now it is for tennis. We are friends with Grigor, we have been in tennis for many years. Four years ago he came to Belgrade to play and now we agreed to be I'm glad that I can help his foundation, I respect him many times, and I'm glad to be here.
Novak Djokovic said (via bntnews)

The Serbian stated that he and Dimitrov were ‘Bulgarian brothers’ who understood each other in several languages. He also wished for the country to have a lot of success in the sport.

We are Bulgarian brothers we are on the court a lot, we understand each other in all kinds of languages ​​- Bulgarian, Serbian and English. I don't know how long I will play professionally and I am happy that I am here to play with Grigor, who is a very successful tennis player. I wish Bulgaria to have good tennis and good sport.
Novak Djokovic added
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Novak Djokovic wants to play ‘unofficial’ matches with Grigor Dimitrov and inspire the younger generation

While happy to be in Belgrade and help Grigor Dimitrov‘s foundation with the exhibition match, Novak Djokovic has wished for more ‘unofficial’ matches in the future in order to inspire the younger generation. He said that both Bulgaria and Serbia do not have a strong tennis history and it is on the current generation of players to get younger people to take an interest in the sport.

Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic
Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic (Images via X) 
I hope we play at least one more match. Hopefully next year or the year after. It's not easy to find time in our schedules, because they are very different. We want to have time for unofficial matches to inspire young people to pick up the racket and play tennis. I think that Bulgaria and Serbia are countries that do not have a great tennis tradition, but we are in a position to change that. We need to increase the interest of young people in the sport.
Novak Djokovic said (via bntnews)
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Djokovic recently led Serbia to victory over Greece in the Davis Cup World Group 1, securing a 3-1 win to qualify for the 2025 Davis Cup qualifiers. On the other hand, Dimitrov is coming off a strong performance at the US Open, where he reached the quarterfinals before injury forced him to retire in the match against Frances Tiafoe.