Wimbledon Heartbreak: Injury Forces Dimitrov to Retire Against Sinner After Dominant Start

Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov gets treatment after he went down with an injury which forced him to retire injured from a fourth round men's singles match against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Grigor Dimitrov's promising run at Wimbledon ended in heartbreak as he was forced to retire injured during his fourth-round match against Jannik Sinner.

Prior to the match, Dimitrov had commented on the relative inexperience of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in Grand Slam finals, stating, "They haven't seen the bad side of life in a way... they were playing the final [in Paris] and neither one of them had ever lost the final of a Slam. It's kind of funny when you hear it... Then why wouldn’t you be fearless?"

However, fate had other plans for the Bulgarian on Centre Court. Dimitrov started the match strongly, showcasing exceptional form and leaving Sinner struggling to find answers. His powerful serves and aggressive groundstrokes allowed him to dominate the early stages of the contest.

Dimitrov secured the first two sets 6-3, 7-5, leaving the top-seeded Sinner visibly frustrated. The score was tied at 2-2 in the third set when disaster struck. After two hours and eight minutes of intense play, Dimitrov clutched his chest and signaled to Sinner that he was injured.

The injury, later revealed to be a pectoral muscle issue, forced Dimitrov to seek medical attention. Despite the efforts of the trainer and doctor, he was unable to continue, leaving the court in tears.

This marks the fifth consecutive Grand Slam where Dimitrov has failed to complete a match, a frustrating pattern that includes the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

Reflecting on his past struggles, Dimitrov's words from the US Open resonate deeply: "You gotta be kidding me... of course!"

The irony is that Dimitrov's physical prowess was once his greatest asset. His athleticism and positive mindset were key to his success, even if major titles eluded him. Now, his own body has betrayed him.

Prior to the match, Dimitrov expressed optimism about his physical condition: "I feel great. After three matches to be where I'm at physically, really gives me a good, positive and upbeat way to get out there and play my game."

The closing of the roof after two sets due to fading sunlight is a matter of debate, but Dimitrov's level of play was undeniable.

Sinner, who had not dropped a set prior to this match, acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances. "I don't take this as a win, at all," he said. "This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us."

Dimitrov's pre-match comments on his approach to the game now carry a poignant weight: "This particular match for me, with all due respect, I don't rate it as ‘wow’ match. It's just another day for me to perform... That match has meaning for myself more so than anything else... The rest is having fun. This is important."

Sadly, the fun was cut short, leaving Dimitrov with another painful reminder of the physical challenges that have plagued his career.