“I wanted to win so I could get some cash”: Grigor Dimitrov reveals what motivated him to beat Novak Djokovic in Madrid Open 2013

Bulgaria’s tennis star Grigor Dimitrov has revealed the motivation behind beating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the Madrid Open back in 2013. The 32-year-old has a dismal record while playing at the reigning world number one where in 13 meetings, he won just once.

Interestingly, that victory came way back in 2013 in the Madrid Open where in the second round, he got the better of the reigning world number one with a score of 7-6, 6-7, 6-3. Dimitrov was recently quoted in a report where he revealed that the primary motivation to beat the 24-time Grand Slam winner was that he did not like the hotel he was staying in and wanted to earn some money to move to a better hotel, something that worked in favour of him on that day.

“I remember. I came earlier to Madrid. I remember staying in some very, very questionable hotel. And then, when I found out I had to play him, I was like, "Okay, let's see, it's time." And I wanted to win so I could get some cash to a different hotel. At the time, I remember that. I like to raise my level on those occasions, and I think just against him in particular” Grigor Dimitrov said