Dimitrov’s body, again, fails him whilst two sets to love up as Sinner moves into quarter-finals
The Bulgarian retired for a fifth consecutive Grand Slam.
© Kin Cheung/AP/SIPA
The phrase ‘sport is beautiful’ if often repeated, but – at the same time – sport can often be considered truly brutal. Unfortunately for Grigor Dimitrov, he will likely be repeating the latter after being forced to retire whilst up 6-3, 7-5 against Jannik Sinner during their fourth-round clash at Wimbledon.
The Bulgarian looked in supreme form during the first two sets, only being broken once, using his knife-like slice and efficient volleys to cut through the Italian’s defences.
However, at 1-2 in the third set, Dimitrov appeared to be in minor discomfort mid-game, before collapsing after holding serve – clutching the right-side of his chest. The former world No 3 went off court for treatment for the pectoral issue, but returned soon after in tears before throwing in the towel.
Heartbreakingly – it is the Bulgarian’s fifth consecutive retirement at the Grand Slams.
Sinner, himself, didn’t look 100 percent, taking a medical timeout for pain in his right elbow during the second set, before being given pills by the tournament’s doctor.
Sinner: “[Dimitrov] is one of the hardest workers”
“I don’t know what to say,” admitted the world No 1.
“He’s an incredible player, as we all saw today, he’s been so unlucky in the past couple of years. An incredible friend of mine also, we know each other very well, seeing him in this position – if there was a chance that he could play the next round, he would deserve.
“Now, I hope he has a speedy recovery, very unlucky from his side. I don’t take this as a win at all, it’s just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us and I think already in the last Grand Slams he’s been struggling with injury, and now seeing him with this is very, very tough and we all saw with his reaction how much he cares about the sport.
“He’s one of the hardest workers on the tour.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion will next face American Ben Shelton, who defeated Lorenzo Sonego earlier on Monday.
