“I cried for two hours in the locker room": Grigor Dimitrov reflects on Wimbledon injury vs Sinner
ATPMonday, 29 June 2026 at 04:30
Grigor Dimitrov returns to Wimbledon still carrying the consequences of a collapse that unfolded on Centre Court against Jannik Sinner a year ago, when he was in full control of the match before a sudden physical breakdown forced his retirement.
The Bulgarian had led by two sets to love and was 2-2 in the third set, having dictated long stretches of play against the World No. 1. The match shifted immediately after Dimitrov held serve with an ace, before he stopped and clutched his right pectoral.
The incident ended what had been one of his strongest performances of the season and opened the door for Sinner to recover, ultimately advancing through the draw and going on to win the Wimbledon title.
Dimitrov did not return to competition for several months following the injury, and his comeback phase has remained irregular, marked by interrupted form and limited continuity. Now entering Wimbledon through a wildcard, he opens against Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny as he attempts to re-establish competitive rhythm at Grand Slam level.
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“I cried for two hours in the locker room”
Dimitrov has described the emotional and psychological impact of the match as immediate but also incomplete in terms of processing, explaining that the initial reaction was followed by a delayed understanding of what the injury meant for his career trajectory.
“I cried for two hours in the locker room, came out straight to the hospital, and I was like, ‘OK, good. Now the rehab starts’. I didn't really have time at the beginning to think about what had happened in a deeper way, I was just trying to move forward step by step,” Dimitrov said on Saturday at Wimbledon. “But later on, when I started hitting again and trying to come back, I realised it wasn’t just the physical part."
“You start questioning everything, you start doubting everything, even simple things like serving or hitting through the ball because you remember the exact moment it happened.”
He added that the psychological component became more visible during training blocks, particularly when attempting to regain full intensity. “I was frightened of the thought of having to come back on the court again and start hitting.”
“Even practices were extremely difficult for me mentally because I had lots of flashbacks, and it wasn’t just about the injury itself, it was about the feeling of not trusting my body in the same way anymore."
Wimbledon return via wildcard after fragmented comeback
Dimitrov’s return to competition has been gradual, with long interruptions affecting his ability to rebuild consistency across a full season. After his Wimbledon withdrawal, he remained away from the Tour for months and has since struggled to string together consecutive deep runs.
The Bulgarian managed just two wins in his first 10 tournaments of the year, including events at ATP level and Challenger tournaments. The situation shifted slightly in recent weeks with the return to grass courts, where he arrives at Wimbledon with a 4–2 record on the surface so far, including runs to the quarter-finals at the Dublin Challenger and the Mallorca Championships.
“Those recent matches were very important for me. I got to play six matches in 10 days, and that’s something I hadn’t done in a long time,” the former world No. 3 said. “I could finally start to feel a bit of rhythm again, but at the same time it is very tricky in our sport once you lose that continuity. I’m very aware of where I am right now. It’s not perfect, but I’m trying to accept it and build from there.”
Now entering Wimbledon via wildcard, Dimitrov faces Dane Sweeny in his opening match, returning to the same venue where his injury against Sinner abruptly changed the course of his season. The 35-year-old, now ranked world No. 164, will attempt at SW19 to reset his trajectory and rebuild confidence in a week where he risks dropping close to 100 ranking positions on the ATP Tour.
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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