“I still have some years left in me to play”: Grigor Dimitrov rules out retirement as he fights for a top-100 return

Friday, 25 September 2026 at 02:30

Grigor Dimitrov has no intention of walking away from tennis just yet, with the former world No. 3 insisting that he still has years left in his career despite a difficult period marked by injuries, ranking struggles and the challenge of maintaining consistency at 35.

The Bulgarian is currently ranked No. 124 in the world and remains one of the most experienced players on the ATP Tour. Only six players aged 35 or older are currently inside the Top 100, including Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic and Adrian Mannarino.

Dimitrov's career had been enjoying another strong period before a pectoral injury suffered against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon in 2025 interrupted his momentum. The Bulgarian was two sets up before being forced to retire and subsequently needed significant time away from competition before attempting to rebuild his rhythm.

His Wimbledon resurgence this year provided an important reminder of his level. Given a wildcard, Dimitrov defeated Jakub Mensik and Matteo Berrettini to reach the fourth round, where he eventually lost to British wildcard Arthur Fery. Now, with no ATP points to defend during the closing months of the season, he has an opportunity to fight his way back towards the Top 100.

Dimitrov still sees years ahead

Dimitrov's current ranking is a long way from the No. 3 position he reached at the peak of his career, but his ambitions have also changed. Rather than looking back at his best years, the Bulgarian is focused on making the most of the time he still has on the Tour.

Speaking to Bolavip, Dimitrov made his position clear when discussing his future and the opportunity to continue competing.

“I am just super grateful about that and I am trying to stay in the present moment, which is the most important thing for me right now," the former ATP Finals champion said. "Of course, I still have some years left in me to play, but for me being able to still do what I do and giving myself that chance is huge for me."

Grigor Dimtrov at Wimbledon Centre Court.

The road back has not been straightforward. After returning from his Wimbledon 2025 injury, Dimitrov needed time to regain his competitive rhythm, while physical consistency has continued to be an issue this season.

His recent Davis Cup appearance illustrated that mixed picture. Dimitrov lost to Holger Rune before defeating Elmer Moller on the final day, although Bulgaria ultimately lost the tie to Denmark. He then returned quickly to the Saint-Tropez Challenger, where he suffered a first-round defeat against world No. 127 Edas Butvilas.

Still, Dimitrov has reasons to remain optimistic. His Wimbledon run showed that he can still produce significant results, while the absence of points to defend gives him an opportunity to climb the rankings during the final part of 2026.

“I want to do all this for myself, but more than anything I want to do it for everyone else who has stuck with me throughout this time. I want to do it for the crowd and the kids as well.”

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That relationship has also shaped the way Dimitrov views his career. After almost two decades at the highest level, he believes he is entering a different phase in which he can be more selective about where and when he plays.

"I cannot emphasize enough that I am running my own race now," the former world No. 3 added. "I feel like I have the privilege to be more selective with the tournaments I am playing."

The Bulgarian has even suggested that his tennis journey could eventually become a book, reflecting on the unusual path that took him from one of the sport's most highly rated prospects to an established veteran still competing at 35.

"I think I have been able to have a very unique path into this sport. One day I will write a book about it. The older I get, the more fascinating I become, also with the crowd and the other players."

Dimitrov reflects on Djokovic's changing reality

Dimitrov's comments also came as he reflected on the changing reality faced by the older generation, particularly Novak Djokovic.

The Bulgarian acknowledged how difficult it is to see Djokovic beginning to encounter some of the physical limitations that naturally come with age after such a prolonged period of dominance.

“The players in today's tennis are just bigger, stronger, faster, which is just a natural part of the evolution of tennis, but of course it is not easy to see Djokovic getting older, maybe struggling a bit," Dimitrov stated. "No matter how strong you are, it is inevitable that it will hit you eventually from a biological point of view."

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Dimitrov's own situation is obviously different, with his focus now on rebuilding rather than competing for Grand Slam titles. But his comments underline why he remains determined to make the most of his own time in professional tennis.

At 35 and ranked No. 124, Dimitrov still has work to do. Yet his latest comments suggest that retirement is not currently part of his thinking. With the final months of 2026 offering a chance to rebuild his ranking, the Bulgarian is looking at what comes next rather than preparing for the end.

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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