Grigor Dimitrov responds to Wimbledon wildcard following recent struggles

Grigor Dimitrov has been handed one of eight wildcards for this year’s Wimbledon singles draw.

Dimitrov reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon back in 2014, and last year, he was putting together his best run since then.

But while leading eventual champion Jannik Sinner by two sets to love, he suffered a partial tear in his right pectoral muscle and had to retire from the match.

Since then, he’s struggled to find his form again, which is why he needed a wildcard to enter the main draw this year.

Grigor Dimitrov opens up about his mindset following last year’s Wimbledon injury

Grigor Dimitrov, who recently received a Wimbledon wildcard, was asked about his selection while playing at a Challenger event in Dublin. The discussion came after Dan Evans, the former British number one, missed out on one of this year’s wildcards.

Dimitrov arrived in Dublin looking to break a seven-match losing streak. He managed to pick up two straight wins, marking the first time he’d done so since last summer at Wimbledon. While in Ireland, he spoke about his return to Wimbledon and whether last year’s injury was on his mind.

“Honestly, I’m very grateful [to receive a wildcard]. That’s all,” Dimitrov told Punto de Break. “What happened in the past is in the past; I’m not thinking about looking back at all. I really appreciate Wimbledon giving me this invitation; it means a lot and it’s an honour. It’s an honour to be at Wimbledon, imagine doing it from the main draw.”

Dimitrov also confirmed he has no expectations for how far he will go into the draw and that he is just focused on competing again. “Right now, I’m here,” he said. “I’m focused on everything I have to do, and I’m really looking forward to competing. That’s it. I have no expectations for Wimbledon.”

Dimitrov was beaten by world number 145 Kyrian Jacquet in Dublin in the quarter-final stage.

Grigor Dimitrov is not happy with the ATP ranking structure after falling to 169

Dimitrov has dropped to world number 169, his lowest ranking since 2010, following a year of poor form and fitness struggles. Asked about his ranking and season so far, Dimitrov expressed frustration with the current system.

“If you think about it, I feel like I haven’t really had a season. Let’s be honest,” answered Dimitrov. “I’ve played around 12 matches this year and lost about 10. To me, that’s not a season.

“There’s no point in talking about the rankings either. The way our rankings are structured is so unfair that it’s pointless to even discuss it.

“Some things are simple: if you win, you have a high ranking. You lose, you drop and drop in the rankings. There’s no secret to it. This sport doesn’t give you the opportunity to take shortcuts; it’s a cutthroat business.”

Dimitrov has been handed another wildcard for Mallorca before Wimbledon begins next month. Dimitrov is defending 200 points from last year at SW19 and could fall outside the top 300 if he doesn’t match that performance.

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