Grigor Dimitrov stands up for Hubert Hurkacz after a heated French Open match

Bulgaria’s tennis star Grigor Dimitrov has defended Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz for commenting on the chair umpire during the French Open fourth-round clash. The match ended with the 33-year-old coming out on top in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-4, 7-6.

During the third set, Hurkacz argued with the chair umpire and asked Dimitrov whether he wanted to change the umpire before moving forward. After the incident after the match, the Haskovo-born star defended Hurkacz and suggested that the comment was made ‘in the heat of the moment’.

“Listen, I think the thing is we all can say very difficult things in the heat of a moment,” he said. “I'm sure whatever he said, it was not meant in a bad way. As I said, he is one of the nicest guys on tour. Also, the umpires, they're trying their best. It's a tricky business out there when the ball gets so close to the line. So I think they're doing their best. On his end we can all say difficult things in the heat of a moment, so I don't think he meant anything bad on that end. As I said, everyone tries to do their best. I think when you play match from such a calibre, when you see it from the outside, of course, it gets tough on both ends. As I said, he doesn't mean any harm or anything like that.”