Grigor Dimitrov's Injury Halts Wimbledon Upset Against Jannik Sinner
Dimitrov's Strong Start Cut Short by Injury
In a surprising turn of events at Wimbledon, Grigor Dimitrov, aged 34, initially dominated the match against world number one Jannik Sinner, winning the first two sets. However, the match took a dramatic shift when Dimitrov suffered an injury. After serving an ace to level the third set at 2-2, he clutched his right pectoral muscle and called for a medical timeout, leaving both the crowd and eight-time champion Roger Federer concerned.
Sinner, who advanced to the quarter-finals, expressed his empathy for Dimitrov, stating, "He has faced so much bad luck with injuries over the past few years. It’s heartbreaking to see him go through this again," during his on-court interview. Dimitrov had previously faced injuries that led to his exit in four consecutive Grand Slam tournaments before this year's Wimbledon.
Dimitrov's Dominance Before the Injury
Throughout the match, Dimitrov showcased exceptional skill, delivering powerful serves with an average speed of 192 KMH. He broke Sinner's serve early on and maintained control with three breaks overall. It wasn't until the third set that Sinner managed to hold his serve in the opening game. Dimitrov recorded an impressive 14 aces, with his fastest serve reaching 226 KMH.
The intensity of Dimitrov's play caused Sinner to slip multiple times, prompting him to take a medical timeout for his elbow. As the match progressed, Dimitrov's injury became evident after he missed a low backhand volley. He managed to serve an ace to tie the third set at 2-2 before collapsing in pain. Sinner rushed to assist him, but Dimitrov returned to the court in tears and was unable to continue, only able to acknowledge the crowd's support.
Dimitrov's Ongoing Battle with Injuries
Dimitrov's struggles with injuries began last year at Wimbledon when he slipped and injured his knee during a fourth-round match against Daniil Medvedev. He has also had to retire from matches at the US Open, Australian Open, and the recent French Open. Notably, he had a grueling five-set victory over Andrey Rublev at the US Open, but his body failed him in a subsequent match against Frances Tiafoe. In the Australian Open, he retired mid-match against Jiri Lehecka in the semi-finals, and at Roland Garros, he withdrew in the first round due to a thigh injury.
Once ranked as high as world number three, Dimitrov had intended to reduce his tournament participation following a significant shoulder injury in 2019. That year, he achieved a memorable victory over Roger Federer at the US Open. However, a Covid-19 diagnosis the following year saw his ranking plummet to near the 100s.
Looking Ahead: Sinner's Next Challenge
Sinner, now in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the fourth consecutive year, is set to face world number 10 Ben Shelton, who recently defeated Lorenzo Sonego in four sets. There is potential for a semi-final matchup against seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, but Sinner's own fitness may be a concern following his match against Dimitrov. He has yet to reach a Wimbledon final, having previously made it to the semi-finals in 2023.
Sinner has participated in the last three Grand Slam finals, winning titles at the US Open and Australian Open, while finishing as a runner-up in a five-set thriller against Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open in June.