The All England Club witnessed another heartbreaking chapter in Grigor Dimitrov's career at Wimbledon 2025, as his fourth-round match against world number one Jannik Sinner ended in premature retirement due to injury. The Bulgarian, who has been plagued by physical setbacks in recent years, was leading Sinner by two sets when disaster struck, leaving him in tears and the crowd in stunned silence.
Dimitrov started the match with inspired form, showcasing a blend of craft and guile that had Sinner on the back foot. He secured the first set 6-3, becoming the first player in the tournament to take a set off Sinner. The Bulgarian continued his dominance in the second set, breaking Sinner's serve and withstanding a brief comeback from the Italian to win it 7-5. Dimitrov's performance was all the more remarkable considering Sinner suffered a potentially damaging fall in the first game, landing heavily on his right arm and requiring a medical timeout.
As the evening progressed, the Centre Court roof was closed between the second and third sets. With the score at 2-2 in the third set, Dimitrov unleashed an ace to hold serve, but immediately collapsed to the ground, clutching his right pectoral muscle in agony. Sinner and the trainers rushed to his side, but it quickly became apparent that Dimitrov couldn't continue. The 34-year-old's retirement marked his fifth consecutive Grand Slam ending in a mid-match withdrawal, a devastating statistic that underscores his recent struggles with injuries.
The incident was especially cruel considering Dimitrov's commanding position in the match and his near miss to his first victory against a world leader in 12 years. In his early days on tour, Dimitrov's style of play was likened to eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, who was present in the Royal Box.
Sinner, visibly shaken by the turn of events, expressed his sympathy for Dimitrov. "I don't take this as a win at all," he said, acknowledging Dimitrov's bad luck and the unfortunate nature of his retirement. Sinner is now set to face Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals.
Dimitrov's departure from Wimbledon is a bitter pill to swallow for the three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist and double Olympian. The Bulgarian's talent and potential have often been curtailed by injuries, and this latest setback is a stark reminder of the physical demands of professional tennis and the cruel twists of fate that can impact a player's career.
