Chris Eubanks picks Grigor Dimitrov as a ‘dark horse’ for the Australian Open: "He showcased what variety can do against the best players"

As the 2025 season approaches, the Australian Open stands as the first major target for the world's top players. Chris Eubanks shared his pick for a dark horse in Melbourne during an interview on Tennis Channel: World No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov, whom he views as a potential surprise contender in the year’s first Grand Slam.

On paper, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz seem like the favourites, having split the major titles in 2024, two apiece. However, Eubanks sees Dimitrov as a possible surprise: "I'm going with Grigor Dimitrov," Eubanks said. "He’s my dark horse. He played phenomenal tennis last year, especially on hard courts.

“We’ve seen, granted not the career-high ranking that he’s achieved earlier in his career when he got up to number three in the world, but I think the level that he played at last year is a little bit higher.”

Read also

Swiatek under fire: Jason Goodall demands more transparency from the WTA – “We were told she was taking some time to work”

Could Grigor Dimitrov shock the world at the Australian Open? 

Eubanks highlighted Dimitrov's standout performance at the Miami Open, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals before falling to an inspired Jannik Sinner in an epic final. It was the Bulgarian’s third Masters 1000 final. “He’s moving into the forecourt area, played a phenomenal match in Miami against [Carlos] Alcaraz, in which he kind of showcased what the variety can do to offset some of the best players in the world.

“He’s currently in his off-season training, doing a lot of training with Jannk Sinner, and to me that’s also a big point,” Eubanks added. “If he’s practising with the best player in the world on a day-in, day-out basis for a week or two, I think the rest of the competition is going to be a little bit weary of Dimitrov coming in.”

Read also

Nick Kyrgios compares Sinner and Alcaraz to Federer and Djokovic: "They don't have the same aura"

Djokovic a Dark Horse? Eubanks and Goodall debate

Jason Goodall, a former ATP player and current Tennis Channel commentator, disagreed with Eubanks, dismissing Dimitrov's chances. “Compelling argument, but he’s got zero chance,” Goodall said of the 33-year-old player. “Great player, love him, very stylish individual.”

“He hates me, I’m not going to get any Christmas cards from Grigor, but I just don’t think he has what it takes upstairs,” Goodall added. “He’s talked about getting really anxious over the course of the last couple of seasons as well. In the big matches, he gets very, very nervous. There’s no way he can bring it when it really matters at the tail end of a major."

“Compelling argument, but he’s got zero chance,” Goodall said of the 33-year-old player. “Great player, love him, very stylish individual.” “He hates me, I’m not going to get any Christmas cards from Grigor, but I just don’t think he has what it takes upstairs,” Goodall added. “He’s talked about getting really anxious over the course of the last couple of seasons as well. In the big matches, he gets very, very nervous. There’s no way he can bring it when it really matters at the tail end of a major.”

Novak Djokovic won 10 titles at the Australian Open between 2008 - 2023.

This surprised Eubanks, who argued Djokovic cannot realistically be considered a second line candidate: “Dark horse?” with Goodall replying: “Below Novak, then [Alexander] Zverev, he’s played well there last year.”

“Give me a dark horse!” responded Eubanks “That’s the next category. We’re talking about guys that could win it… they’ve been so dominant in the men’s game.”

“Dimitrov has no chance of winning the Aussie Open! Okay? So we’re talking about players other than Sinner and Alcaraz that would win that title, and that’s a short list,” responded Goodall. “Even if you get down to Taylor Fritz you’re saying okay it’s a bit of a long shot. But those are great players.”

Read also

20 years of Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open: the tournament where the Serb feels invincible

However, former Top-30 player Eubanks remained firm in considering Djokovic, along with Sinner and Alcaraz, as contenders who cannot truly be classified as "dark horses." "When picking a dark horse, you’re supposed to ruffle some feathers, you’re supposed to sit there and have people go, ‘huh, that’s a bit of a risky call.’ But go right ahead with Novak," the American stated.

Goodall then asked: “How was Novak’s season last year?” with Eubanks simply responding: “Made history.”