Grigor Dimitrov

Basic Information:

• Full Name: Grigor Dimitrov Dimitrov

• Date of Birth: May 16, 1991

• Place of Birth: Haskovo, Bulgaria

• Nationality: Bulgarian

• Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)

• Turned Pro: 2008

• Playing Style: Right-handed (one-handed backhand)

• Coach (2024): Jamie Delgado (previously worked with Dani Vallverdu, Andre Agassi, and Roger Rasheed)

Early Life and Junior Career:

• Grigor was born into a sports-loving family. His father, Dimitar, was a tennis coach, and his mother, Maria, was a volleyball player.

• Started playing tennis at age 5 and quickly became a prodigy.

• Won junior Wimbledon (2008) and junior US Open (2008).

• Became ITF Junior World No. 1 in 2008.

He was hailed as "Baby Federer" early in his career due to his graceful technique and elegant style, especially his one-handed backhand and fluid movement.

Professional Career Highlights:

Career-High Ranking:

• Reached a career-best ATP World Ranking of No. 3 in November 2017

Career Milestones:

2014 – Breakthrough Year

• Won Queen’s Club Championships (beating Feliciano López)

• Reached Wimbledon semifinals, losing to Novak Djokovic in 4 sets

• Ended the year ranked World No. 11

2017 – Career Peak

• Won Cincinnati Masters 1000 without dropping a set

• Crowned ATP Finals Champion (London), beating Goffin in the final

• Ended the year as World No. 3, his highest career ranking

Post-2017 Challenges:

• Struggled with injuries and inconsistency

• Dropped out of top 20, with confidence and form affected

• Faced strong competition from the next generation (Tsitsipas, Zverev, etc.)

2023–2024 Resurgence:

• Reached multiple ATP finals and semifinals, including:

  • 2023 Shanghai Masters SF

  • 2024 Miami Open SF

  • 2024 Monte Carlo QF

• Returned to top 10 rankings in early 2024, showing improved form and maturity

Playing Style and Strengths:

• One-handed backhand – Elegant and versatile, used with slice or topspin

• All-court game – Comfortable on grass, hard courts, and clay

• Athleticism & Footwork – One of the most flexible and agile players

• Serve & Forehand – Powerful and accurate, particularly on fast courts

• Mental toughness – Improved over time but once considered a weakness

Weaknesses:

• Historically struggled with consistency and closing matches under pressure

• Injury-prone during mid-career years

 Grand Slam Record (as of mid-2024):

Tournament                    Best Result

Australian Open            SF (2017)

French Open                    R4 (2020, 2023)

Wimbledon                    SF (2014)

US Open                            SF (2019)

ATP Titles:

• Total ATP Singles Titles: 9 (including 1 Masters 1000 and ATP Finals)

• Most prestigious titles:

  • ATP Finals (2017)

  • Cincinnati Masters 1000 (2017)

  • Brisbane International

  • Acapulco, Stockholm, Queen’s Club, Sofia

Personal Life:

• Speaks Bulgarian, English, and some Spanish.

• Dated high-profile celebrities:

  • Maria Sharapova (2012–2015)

  • Linked with Nicole Scherzinger, Lily Donaldson

• Known for his charming personality, sense of fashion, and charisma on and off court.

• Frequently involved in charity events, especially in Bulgaria.

• Became the first Bulgarian player to reach the ATP top 10 and remains the most successful Bulgarian tennis player in history.

Legacy and National Impact:

• Considered a national hero in Bulgaria.

• Played a major role in promoting tennis in the country.

• Helped lead Bulgaria in ATP Cup and Davis Cup competitions.

Outlook and Future:

• Still highly competitive on the ATP Tour at age 33–34.

• With his current form and renewed fitness, Dimitrov is seen as a dark horse in Grand Slams, especially on grass and hard courts.

• Likely to transition into coaching or media after retirement given his experience, fluency, and personality.