Grigor Dimitrov is playing a really good season and seems to be able to give much more to this sport, although it is no longer in its ‘first’. Some fans and insiders expected something more from the career of the Bulgarian player, whose resemblance to Roger Federer had led many to predict a future as the world number one.
The champion from Haskovo has nevertheless reached very important peaks, especially in 2017, which remains the best year of his entire career. At the 2017 Australian Open, Grisha had come very close to his first Grand Slam final. After reaching the semi-finals, the Bulgarian played a really outstanding match against Rafael Nadal by touching the feat and only surrendering in the fifth set after an epic battle. In that same season, Dimitrov won the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati and especially the Nitto ATP Finals in London defeating David Goffin in the final.
It is unlikely that Grigor will be able to improve these results by the end of his career, but his current level is enough to have fun and play some great matches. The Bulgarian player reached the quarterfinals in two of the four Majors played this year and took away the satisfaction of beating Spaniard superstar Carlos Alcaraz twice in the last 12 months (in Shanghai in 2023 and in Miami in 2024).
100 Masters 1000 wins
Dimitrov is playing the Masters 1000 in Shanghai and has just defeated Zizou Bergs in three sets to reach the third round. His next opponent will be Australian ace Alexei Popyrin in a match that promises to be very balanced.
Defeating Bergs in Shanghai, Grisha scored his 100th Masters 1000 win. “It’s fun, 100 is a lot, many Masters 1000. I think everything that comes my way now is purely beneficial. One of the greatest things I have learned over the years is to appreciate what we do. I think longevity, when you look back and think about it, let’s say I have been on the circuit for 16 years, it hits you in a fun way, in a good way.
And suddenly you see the past too far, so I try not to think too much about it, especially being here now. Because let’s be honest, I am more on that other side than on this one. I am clearly aware of that, but I don’t try to chase numbers or achieve things in that sense. It’s more about that, whatever happens, it’s an extra for me at this moment considering everything I have gone through both on and off the court” – the Bulgarian ace commented during the press conference.
Grisha is still motivated
Dimitrov had the privilege and the burden of playing in the same era as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who prevented many players of their generation from winning as they would have deserved. The Big 3 have been cannibalizing the men’s tour for 15 years with 3-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray, preventing their opponents from getting closer to top positions to enrich their palmarés. Although he may have won less than a player with his talent would have deserved, Grigor has continued to play for fun and can be very satisfied with his career.
“A big part of my career is also similar to my life off the courts. You want to make some changes, but at the same time, those changes only affect your career more than anything else. It’s a give-and-take until you finish. I still have a lot of tennis ahead of me” – he explained.
“It’s more about how I manage it and how I put myself in a position to enjoy every moment I step out to play and not think too much about the result. It’s very complicated, especially when you play very well and you are in the top 10 and still want more, but you need, I don’t know if it’s patience or more consistency. But I just believe that if you put it all together, in the end, it all depends on you” – he concluded.
The current number 10 in the world will try to close 2024 in the best way, even if he has to be good at managing the pressure. The Bulgarian champion will have to defend the final reached in Paris-Bercy last year, when he lost to 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic a step away from the title. Despite being equipped with a varied and complete style of play, it would have taken some extra punch to allow Grisha to take another step and write the history of this sport.