Serena Williams Opens Up About Relationship with ‘Guy Bestie’ Grigor Dimitrov After Heartwarming Moment at Wimbledon

Both Serena Williams and Grigor Dimitrov have received the wild cards for Wimbledon singles. Ahead of the tournament, Wimbledon shared a video of the reunion between two best friends. They shared a warm hug and exchanged pleasantries upon meeting after almost a year.

Williams will be competing in singles for the first time since the 2022 US Open third round. Because after her exit, she hung up her racket. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion missed tennis a lot and decided to return.

Dimitrov, because of the pectoral injury he suffered in last year’s Wimbledon, has dropped out of the top 150 and currently stands in the No.164th position. And this is why the 35-year-old will be competing as the wild card.

Williams, in the pre-tournament press conference at this Wimbledon, was asked about her relationship with Dimitrov.

I always call Grigor my bestie. He’s definitely my guy bestie. It was so good to see him. I mean, we obviously I hadn’t seen him in almost a year, I mean, we obviously communicate outside of Grand Slams, but I haven’t seen him in almost a year. So, you know, just catching up and always have so many good memories with Grigor, and he gets my crazy, and I get his crazy, and believe me, he’s way crazier than I am, really.

In last year’s Wimbledon, Dimitrov took the first two sets off eventual champion Jannik Sinner. But while hitting an ace, he ruptured his right pectoral muscle and retired mid-match.

So, but yeah, he’s just, he’s so good-hearted and good-natured, and it was really tough to see that last year, and he’s had a tough year just dealing with that injury, but you know, you just got to continue to fight and continue to come back.

Serena Williams added

Dimitrov and Williams, even though they are the closest of friends at present, were romantically linked back in 2012. They were spotted together on several occasions. Williams also attended his matches.

Serena Williams and Grigor Dimitrov reunited at Wimbledon.

Nothing like a long hug between old friends.

🥹🥹🥹🥹

(via @Wimbledon, @espn, & @espnW) pic.twitter.com/9K0hB3RgVP

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 27, 2026

Dimitrov started dating Williams’ old foe Maria Sharapova in 2013. And then in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, she talked about a rival player, believed to be Sharapova, saying, “If she wants to be with the guy with a black heart, go for it.” Williams, it is believed, used the “black heart” phrase as a jibe at the Bulgarian. But whatever happened in the past, rumors or true, is in the past because at this stage of their lives, they all share a friendly bond.

Serena Williams will play doubles with Venus Williams at Wimbledon

Serena Williams has also received the wild card for doubles, along with her sister Venus Williams. They will face Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio, which will also be their first match together since the 2022 US Open. The Williams sisters, winners of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, last won a Major at the 2016 Wimbledon.

I don’t dwell too much on the past of what I’ve done. No one would know I was a professional athlete if they spent a day with me at home. My trophies aren’t hidden, but they are in a room that isn’t very visible. So, I don’t know. I don’t think too much about what Venus and I have done here.

Serena Williams said at the press conference

Venus did not receive the wild card for singles. The 23-time Major singles champion, on the other hand, will face Maya Joint in her first singles match.

Williams last won a Major at the 2017 Australian Open by defeating Venus. But in her last Major singles final, Williams lost to Bianca Andreescu at the 2019 US Open and last won a title at the 2020 ASB Classic.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Makes Allergy Confession from Wimbledon Grass: “I Suffer from It Every Year”