“I wanted to dig a hole and disappear,” Grigor Dimitrov opens up about a rather embarrassing on-court suffering against prime Roger Federer back in the days

The Bulgarian recounted how he wanted to dig a hole and disappear out of frustration when he faced the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

“I wanted to dig a hole and disappear,” Grigor Dimitrov opens up about a rather embarrassing on-court suffering against prime Roger Federer back in the days

Roger Federer, Grigor Dimitrov (Images via X)

Following a rather one-sided Miami Open final between Grigor Dimitrov and Jannik Sinner on Sunday (March 31), the former was asked about the experiences of his clashes against players in their prime. For the uninitiated, Sinner crushed the 32-year-old in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 to clinch the title.

After his defeat, Grigor Dimitrov revealed how the matches against Roger Federer in his prime were the toughest ones. The Bulgarian even recounted how he wanted to dig a hole and disappear out of frustration when he faced the 20-time Grand Slam champion. Dimitrov, however, admitted that he has not dealt with this level of annoyance while facing any other players.

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I know for me, I was going to say the toughest player that I have played in his absolute prime was Roger. Just too funny, actually. I remember a few times, even at Wimbledon. Once I remember it was just -- I wanted to dig a hole and disappear (smiling). I haven't had that feeling yet against anyone, so I will leave it at that, I guess. Yeah, probably that's going to be the player I felt like I suffered the most with.
Grigor Dimitrov said in the post-match press conference

After turning pro in 2008, Dimitrov played a lot of matches against the Big 4. Federer bid adieu to the sport in 2022 after featuring for Team Europe alongside his fiercest rival Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup.

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Grigor Dimitrov still positive about his performance despite the defeat

Despite Sunday’s final defeat to Jannik Sinner, Grigor Dimitrov is still positive about his performances in Miami. En route to the summit clash, he outclassed three players from the top 10, beating Hubert Hurkacz, Alexander Zverev, and Carlos Alcaraz.

Grigor Dimitrov
Grigor Dimitrov (Image via X) 
I want to keep the positives. A lot had also happened behind the scenes. I have beaten very good players.
Grigor Dimitrov said after the match

Dimitrov also doesn’t want to be hard on himself as it hurts him. He admitted that though no one wants to lose in the final, he didn’t have the time to be hard on himself and instead, he rather felt like a “rockstar” in Miami as he received the “love of the crowd.” As he progressed into the final, he gained a spot in the top 10 for the first time since 2018.

Dimitrov will now be seen in action in Monte Carlo in the clay season, which is scheduled to start on April 7th.

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