The grounds of Wimbledon witnessed a heart-wrenching scene as Grigor Dimitrov, seemingly on the cusp of a momentous victory, was forced to retire due to injury during his round of 16 match against Jannik Sinner. The incident, which occurred on Centre Court, not only shattered Dimitrov's hopes but also elicited a visibly emotional response from eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, who was present in the Royal Box.
Dimitrov, the 19th seed, had been playing exceptional tennis, capturing the first two sets against the world No. 1 Sinner 6-3, 7-5. He appeared to be heading towards his first Wimbledon quarter-final appearance in 11 years, a feat he last achieved in 2014. However, at 2-2 in the third set, disaster struck. Dimitrov served an ace but immediately fell to the ground, clutching his chest and crying out in pain, "My pec! My pec!".
The distressing scene prompted immediate concern from Sinner, who rushed to Dimitrov's side to inquire about his well-being. Medical staff attended to Dimitrov, who was visibly distraught and in tears. Cameras captured Federer's reaction in the Royal Box, with the Swiss legend appearing shell-shocked and rising from his seat, displaying a clear look of concern and empathy. Commentators noted the genuine worry etched on Federer's face as the situation unfolded.
Dimitrov left the court for further medical assessment but soon returned, unable to continue. The Bulgarian could barely acknowledge the crowd's warm ovation as he conceded the match, his eyes filled with tears. This marked Dimitrov's fifth consecutive Grand Slam appearance ending in retirement due to injury, a devastating blow for the 34-year-old who has battled injuries throughout his career.
Sinner, while advancing to the quarter-finals, expressed his sympathy for Dimitrov. "I don't know what to say because he's an incredible player. I think we all saw this today. He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years," Sinner said. He further added, "An incredible player, a good friend of mine also, and we understand each other very well off the court too. Seeing him in this position... if there would be a chance that he could play in the next round, he would deserve it". Sinner also carried Dimitrov's bags off the court, a gesture of respect and sportsmanship.
The incident served as a cruel reminder of the physical demands of professional tennis and the vulnerability of even the most skilled athletes to injury. For Dimitrov, once touted as 'Baby Fed' due to his playing style's similarity to Roger Federer, the moment was particularly poignant. Federer's presence in the stands, witnessing Dimitrov's anguish, added another layer of emotion to the already charged atmosphere on Centre Court.
The tennis world has expressed its support for Dimitrov, wishing him a speedy recovery. The incident, however, will likely fuel further discussion about the grueling nature of the tennis calendar and the need for measures to protect players' health and well-being.
