Dimitrov withdraws from Metz but will be in Turin as reserve
This Tuesday will always be remembered as the day of ‘unexpected injuries’ for a few male circuit players. Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the ATP Finals has led to Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, and Alex De Minaur securing their direct ticket to the tournament of champions, causing more than one player to withdraw from the event they were competing in this week, as the goal had been achieved and there was no need to exert themselves further.
The latest to join the list is Grigor Dimitrov, who withdrew a few minutes ago from the ATP 250 in Metz after confirming that he will be in Turin as a substitute. Stefanos Tsitsipas will join him on that reserve bench, waiting for an opportunity in case any of his teammates get injured.
Grigor Dimitrov reflects on ‘toughest time of his life’ as he looks to repeat history at Stockholm Open
Grigor Dimitrov won his first ATP title in Stockholm 11 years ago and is looking for more success this time round.
In the 11 years since Grigor Dimitrov has experienced a whirlwind career on the ATP Tour.
From winning the Cincinnati Masters and ATP Finals in 2017, reaching a career-high of number three in the world, to struggling with injury and falling well outside of the world’s top 50, there isn’t much Dimitrov hasn’t dealt with in his career to date.
The Bulgarian star had fallen into irrelevancy in recent years, hovering around the top 20 mark, before kicking on in 2024 and re-establishing himself as a true contender on the ATP Tour.
Grigor Dimitrov picked up his first ATP title in seven years in Brisbane earlier this year, before coming up just short against Jannik Sinner in the Miami Open final a few months later.
Whilst things are now looking up for Dimitrov, he recently took the time to reflect upon one of the toughest periods of his career.
Grigor Dimitrov’s 2017 was the ‘toughest time’ of his life
Speaking to Tennissportalen TV ahead of this week’s Stockholm Open, Dimitrov reflected upon his remarkable 2017 season, and how he felt at the time.
“It was one of the toughest times I’ve had in my life,” said Dimitrov.
“It all had to happen that way now that I come to realize everything that has happened since.
“When I look back at the whole year, even though I had an amazing 2017 [on the court], I had a terrible mental state personally, I was just struggling with so many other things,” he said.
Whilst Dimitrov experienced his career-best season in 2017 despite his mental struggles, things soon went downhill.
“Then of course, the following year, there were a few changes in my team, and I had some things to deal with in my body, for the first time I started having pain and a little bit of an injury problem,” said Dimitrov.
“That was a bit of a spiral moment, and once things start going that way, it’s very difficult to take it back.
“It’s bad, it’s really not fun. Every time you go out there to compete, you feel that deficit in your game.
“It’s frightening. The tennis court can be one of the loneliest places on earth”
“Sometimes you just want to disappear,” he said.
Can Grigor Dimitrov still qualify for the ATP Finals?
Dimitrov has managed to bounce back from that tough period and is on course for his best season in seven years.
The 33-year-old Bulgarian has failed to qualify for the ATP Finals since taking home the trophy in 2017 but is still in contention to make Turin.
Currently sat 10th in the Race to Turin, Dimitrov will need to catch up over 600 points to overtake 8th place Andrey Rublev to guarantee his spot in the Finals.
However, with rumors of Novak Djokovic skipping the event, and the potential for others to drop out through injury, gaining 400 points to take the spot of Alex de Minaur in 9th could well be enough to see Dimitrov qualify for Turin.
The Bulgarian is scheduled to play Stockholm, Vienna and Paris in an attempt to gain the points needed for qualification.
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