Grigor Dimitrov's promising run at Wimbledon came to a heartbreaking end on Monday after a physical ailment forced him to retire during his fourth-round match against Jannik Sinner. The Bulgarian was leading 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 when he was forced to stop.
Dimitrov had previously stated his views on Sinner and Alcaraz, saying, “They haven't seen the bad side of life in a way. Nothing against them, they're the two greatest players at the moment by far, by far...neither one of them had ever lost the final of a Slam. It's kind of funny when you hear it...with age, we all know that fear comes very differently. It creeps in."
However, the unfolding events at Centre Court took an unexpected turn. Dimitrov was in control, showcasing exceptional form and leaving Sinner struggling to find answers.
The 34-year-old Dimitrov was delivering a masterclass, serving powerfully and unleashing aggressive shots from both sides. Sinner struggled to handle Dimitrov's serve, especially to his backhand, which opened the door for many winning combinations.
Leading by two sets, with the score at 2-2 in the third, disaster struck. Dimitrov clutched his chest, indicating a problem with his pectoral muscle. He was forced to retire, ending his hopes of securing his first top-5 victory since March of the previous year, and his first-ever win against a world number 1.
This marks the fifth consecutive Grand Slam where Dimitrov has failed to complete a match. He had previously retired at the Australian Open, French Open, and both Wimbledon and US Open the previous year.
Dimitrov's physical conditioning was once considered a key strength, particularly during his twenties. Despite never capturing a major title, his athleticism and positive attitude were defining characteristics.
Prior to the match, Dimitrov expressed optimism about his physical state, stating, "I feel great. After three matches to be where I'm at physically, really gives me a good, positive and upbeat way to get out there and play my game… This is in a way the most important thing for me."
While the impact of closing the roof due to fading sunlight remains a topic of discussion, the high quality of Dimitrov's performance is undeniable.
Sinner, the top seed, had not dropped a set leading up to the fourth round, conceding only 17 games in the process. He also held a 4-1 advantage in head-to-head matches against Dimitrov. However, Dimitrov quickly overturned expectations, breaking Sinner's serve in the opening game and dictating the tempo of the match.
"I don't take this as a win, at all," said Sinner, revealing that he was also dealing with his own injury concerns. "This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us.”
Dimitrov's pre-match reflections added another layer of poignancy to his unfortunate exit.
“This particular match for me, with all due respect, I don't rate it as ‘wow’ match. It's just another day for me to perform…That match has meaning for myself more so than anything else...The rest is having fun. This is important. We're in the second week of Wimbledon. Let's have fun.”
Unfortunately, that enjoyment was cut short.
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