Exactly one year ago, Grigor Dimitrov was two sets to love up on Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon fourth round. A pectoral injury not only kept Dimitrov from finishing the job, but it also sidelined him until October and has reduced him to a current ranking of No. 146.
The scene of the crime, however, has now produced by far Dimitrov’s best moment in the past 12 months. The 36-year-old Bulgarian is back in the last 32 at the All-England Club after playing a brilliant match to beat French Open semifinalist Jakub Mensik 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Thursday evening.
“Every match you win, it’s great,” Dimitrov said during his post-match press conference. “It’s as simple as that. As I said out there on the court, I know it sounded like a bit of a cliché right now, but it’s really not about winning or losing for me. I am happy. Don’t get me wrong — of course I’m very happy. This week has been the best week in the past 12 months, without a doubt.
“I’m so grateful also to get the opportunity to compete out here…. Wimbledon has been so amazing to me by granting me the wild card. I just want to make sure I make the most out of it. Above all, I’ve been preparing myself. I was pushing myself on daily basis. Only I know what I’ve gone through in the past (12) months. It is what it is.
“Right now I’m in a place where I’m in the third round of Wimbledon. (My) body’s holding up fairly well. There’s really not that much else to add other than that this is okay, this is great, this is in front of me, and that’s what I have to deal with.”
What’s in front of the former world No. 3 is former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
Not too much unlike Dimitrov, Berrettini peaked near the top of the rankings (No. 6) but has endured a career plagued by injuries. Currently No. 51, the Italian was forced to retire from his recent French Open quarterfinal against compatriot Matteo Arnaldi due to a hip issue and did not play a single grass-court match prior to Wimbledon.
Despite that, Berrettini is suddenly evoking memories of the man who finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2021. The 30-year-old opened with a thrilling 6-7(7), 7-6(16), 7-6(7), 7-6(5) victory over Stan Wawrinka and then ousted Arthur Fils 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 on Thursday afternoon.
Like Dimitrov, Berrettini is just happy to be back on the court.
“I really love to think about (nothing more than) the match and think about how I’m dealing with the problems that the match is giving me,” Berrettini explained. “For a long time I was just thinking about I want to be healthy, I want to feel free to serve, I don’t want to think about my body. Happiness goes through that — the fact that I don’t have to think about my body.”
When both Berrettini and Dimitrov don’t have to think about their physical problems, they remain two of the best players in the world — especially on grass. We can only hope that their bodies allow them to put on another show in round three at Wimbledon.
nice one, Grigor
Im delighted he beat Mensik who has a thing or two to learn about playing on grass. And can tthink of a more entertaining matchup , ‘Tini v Dimi on grass
yep, Grigor-Matteo is massive
The battle of the eye candy lol, anyway I think Berretini takes this one, I think he’s better on grass than Grigor, having made the final before
I think if Grigor is into rallies and can neutralize the serve, he can take this one and potentially make a Semifinal. He is playing a similar player to Mensik (ala big serve and forehand combination). Berrettini has a nice backhand slice but I think Dimitrov is ready especially after having Sinner beaten last year. Dimitrov in 4.
Score a perfect read for The Moose