Grigor Dimitrov is playing a very good game of tennis this season, having reached his full maturity both on and off the court. The Bulgarian champion played two Slam quarterfinals this year, taking the satisfaction of beating former world number 1 and 4-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in Miami.
Despite being a very talented player, Grisha has not expressed his full potential according to many fans and insiders. The Bulgarian has achieved excellent results during his career, reaching very high in the ATP ranking and winning the Nitto ATP Finals in 2017 (the best year of his career).
Grigor Dimitrov, Laver Cup 2018© Stream screenshot
Dimitrov never really came close to winning a Grand Slam title, except at the 2017 Australian Open when he lost in five sets to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals after an epic battle. Grigor has said several times that the defeat was imprinted in his mind and that he had a lot of trouble going forward, being aware that he had a very important chance.
The champion of the 2017 ATP Finals was not helped by playing in the same era as the Big 3, which has hampered him in several tournaments. In addition, he probably missed a mental and technical step to get even higher and make history of this sport. The Bulgarian veteran will try to close the season in the best way and catch some great results. Grisha will also have to defend the final reached in Paris-Bercy last year.
Dimitrov is very happy
Dimitrov was the last piece missing from Team Europe in the Laver Cup, after Rafael Nadal’s forfeit. The Bulgarian tennis player has gone to replace the Spanish champion, who preferred to give up the competition to better recover his physical form. The former world number three has recently been injured at the Us Open, after reaching the quarterfinals.
This physical problem forced him to retire in the match against Frances Tiafoe. Problems that seem to be fortunately solved and that will not prevent him from taking part in one of the most anticipated events of the year, based in Berlin. “You look at your side and see only legends of this sport. That atmosphere, the fists with Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer sitting with me on the bench after the first set or hear Novak Djokovic in the background shouting something in store. It was an incredible experience. All the guys supported me in a spectacular and incredible way, the support was crazy”, he recalled about his last appearance at this tournament, some years ago.
Grigor Dimitrov© @Lacoste X account
Dimitrov spoke of his passion for tennis in an interview with the official website of the tournament, but it is not all in his life: “I love tennis, but even if I become the best ever, I do not want to be defined only by tennis. I am my own person and want to be remembered for who I really am. I am much more than tennis. “In my free time I like to create things off the court. If I told you everything I do, you would say: “But do you really play tennis?”, he told. The Bulgarian player should not have been in this edition of the Laver Cup, but Nadal’s absence gives him a unique chance to play one of the most prestigious events on the calendar.
Grisha praises his parents
In a long interview with Tennis.com, Grigor paid tribute to his father and his mother: “She knows how to connect with people from very different backgrounds, whatever they’re doing. We often discuss that. She’s like, ‘Oh, I’m trying to motivate these kids by saying this and doing that.’ She always tries to connect with people and kind of rattles them, just wants to get you out of the comfort zone to express yourself, and without any judgment.
Dimitrov© Dimitrov X account/Fair Use
My dad is totally the opposite, so it’s very strange. I’ve kind of gotten the best from both worlds because just as I feel like I can be in surroundings with many people, players, officials, and so on, I can definitely be on my own and just enjoy going for a walk in the desert. I feel comfortable with being on both ends.
I think for me, this part has always been very, very strong. I always wanted to keep that way with the risk of maybe getting on the wrong side of some people, and being judged. I’m okay with that, as long as I’m true to myself and true to my heart, and to the people that are around me. I think that itself already pushes you. It propels you to be a good person and it sets up very good and high standards for life.”