Grigor Dimitrov takes unusual next step after falling to No. 137 in the world
ATPSunday, 13 September 2026 at 21:30
Grigor Dimitrov will return to the Challenger Tour later this month after receiving a wildcard for the ATP 125 Challenger in Saint-Tropez. The former world No. 3 will compete in France from September 21-27 as he looks to rebuild his ranking following a difficult season.
Dimitrov, now 35, currently sits at No. 137 in the world after a first-round exit at the US Open. The Bulgarian successfully came through qualifying in New York but was unable to continue his run in the main draw, losing to Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 4-6.
The Saint-Tropez event will therefore give Dimitrov an opportunity to play several matches at Challenger level and add ranking points. It is a notable step for a player who spent much of his career competing at the biggest events on the ATP Tour.
Dimitrov's season had already been difficult before Wimbledon, where he produced his strongest run of the year. He reached the fourth round after defeating Jakub Mensik and Matteo Berrettini before losing to eventual quarterfinalist Arthur Fery. He was unable to carry that momentum into the North American hard-court swing.
Dimitrov leads a strong Saint-Tropez field
The organizers announced Dimitrov's wildcard on Friday, making the former Masters champion the biggest name in a tournament that also features several players ranked inside the world's top 160.
Dimitrov won the ATP Finals in 2017 and reached three Grand Slam semifinals during his career. His presence will add considerable experience to a Challenger event that was won last year by Tunisia's Moez Echargui.
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The entry list also includes several French players. Benjamin Bonzi, Titouan Droguet and Clement Tabur are all expected to compete, while the international field includes Jesper De Jong, Jacob Fearnley and Dino Prizmic.
De Jong, Fearnley and Prizmic are currently ranked around the world's top 100, giving the tournament a strong field despite its position below the main ATP Tour.
For Dimitrov, however, the focus will be less on the strength of the field and more on getting matches and points on the board. His ranking has fallen sharply from the position he occupied during his peak years, and another deep run could help him begin the climb back towards the upper levels of the ATP rankings. Saint-Tropez will be his next opportunity to do exactly that.
Grigor Dimitrov's last 10 matches
| Round | Tournament | Opponent | Opp. Rank | Result | Score |
| R128 | US Open | Alexei Popyrin | 130 | L | 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 |
| Q2 | US Open (Qualy) | Timofey Skatov | 205 | W | 7-6(5), 6-4 |
| Q1 | US Open (Qualy) | Lorenzo Giustino | 201 | W | 6-0, 6-3 |
| R128 | Cincinnati Masters | Sebastian Baez | 53 | L | 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 |
| R16 | Bastad | Nuno Borges | 52 | L | 6-4, 6-2 |
| R32 | Bastad | Dalibor Svrcina | 114 | W | 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-4 |
| R16 | Wimbledon | Arthur Fery | 114 | L | 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(7) |
| R32 | Wimbledon | Matteo Berrettini | 51 | W | 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 |
| R64 | Wimbledon | Jakub Mensik | 18 | W | 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 |
| R128 | Wimbledon | Dane Sweeny | 127 | W | 7-6(4), 6-3, 7-5 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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