16 years after claiming the boy’s Wimbledon title, Grigor Dimitrov is in the middle of yet another deep run in the men’s draw.
The 33-year-old, who is seeded 10th in this year’s draw, beat France’s Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, in what was their first Tour-level meeting for eight years. It is the fourth time he has reached the last 16 at SW19 in 16 appearances and he has now won 22 matches at the Grand Slam. Making him the most successful Bulgarian player in Wimbledon history in terms of match wins.
Dimitrov’s run comes during a solid season on the Tour with him returning to the ATP Top 10 in April for the first time since 2018. He won the Brisbane Open in January before going on to reach the finals of the Open 13 in France and then the Miami Masters. As for dealing with his resurgence, Dimitrov admits the most pressure comes from himself.
“I think the biggest expectations are coming from myself. I always have very high standards.” He explained after beating Monfils.
“I think just as I think that’s a good plus to have. Sometimes it plays a little game with you. But at the same time theexpectations, they are always going to be there regardless of where the source of it is from.”
This year is the 10th anniversary of Dimitrov’s best-ever run at Wimbledon when he reached the quarter-finals before falling in four sets to Novak Djokovic. Since then, he has only reached the fourth round three times, including this year.
“I can only control what I have, and what I have is my game in front of me. Then how the game itself is going to unfold or how I’m going to play my match, it depends entirely on me,” he said.
“Of course, you have to play an opponent on the other side as well, so that makes things a little more difficult. But it is what it is. I think that’s also partially the beauty of the game.”
The next challenge for Dimitrov will be a meeting with either Jan-Lennard Struff or Daniil Medvedev.
“I have nothing to prove to anybody. I just want to prove things to myself. I don’t play for anybody.” He states.
“So I can just as easily do whatever I want, sit back and enjoy the ride of whatever else is out there. But at the same time, I don’t think I’m going to be good and happy with myself.”
