Grigor Dimitrov got injured during the semifinal of the Brisbane International, having to abandon early the rather balanced challenge with Jiri Lehecka.
Looking down, greeting the crowd with his left hand and great disappointment expressed on his face: the Bulgarian was playing an excellent tournament in Australia, with the intent of reconfirming himself as champion after last year’s triumph, but he had to deal with a physical problem that could jeopardize his participation in the first Slam of the season.
After three dominated matches (the last of the quarterfinals also taking advantage of the retirement in the second set of Jordan Thompson, at 6-1, 2-1), the 33-year-old found a tough opponent in his path in the 23-year-old Czech, then eventual winner of the tournament.
The match was wide open, despite the initial 6-4 won by Lehecka, but during the second set, the athlete born in Haskovo began to suffer from discomfort in the area of his left thigh. A bad blow for Dimitrov who will now have to quickly recover the best condition to get to Melbourne.
Dimitrov© X fair use
Grigor boasts a semifinal at the Australian Open in 2017 and seemed to start the year in the best possible way, expressing an excellent level of play on the court in Brisbane. This injury inevitably stops the regular schedule set by the player, together with his staff, to arrive at the Major competition ready and in top form.
In the next few days the injury suffered on the court will be evaluated: the athlete, as well as the fans themselves, hopes it is nothing serious and that he can return to training soon.
The Melbourne Slam is now very close: the event will start on Sunday 12 January, in about a week, and will see all the best at the starting line. The Bulgarian’s would be the first major and significant absence.
As we know, Nick Kyrgios’ presence is also in doubt, due to the wrist problem that also tormented him at the Brisbane International. The Australian will do everything to play the Happy Slam, also to give himself a chance to play against his new enemy Jannik Sinner.
Tennis World USA