Grigor Dimitrov Suffers Shock Pec Injury With Jannik Sinner on Ropes
Dimitrov was defeating Jannik Sinner in what was shaping up to be a surprise upset and maybe the highlight of his career when he clutched his pec and grimaced in pain after a powerful serve.
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At that point in the match, he was up two sets. He defeated Sinner 6 to 3 and then 7 to 5, and was tied 2 to 2 in the third set. As the #19 seed, Dimitrov was poised to pull off the likely upset of the tournament if Sinner wasn't able to battle back.
That's when the injury happened, after he delivered yet another ace. And that interrupted what was shaping up to be an inspiring story arc for the 34-year-old.
It was not immediately clear whether Dimitrov would be able to continue the match, but pretty quickly the sad ending unfolded, and Dimitrov retired from the match. It was the fifth Grand Slam where the Bulgarian tennis pro has retired due to an injury. A shaken Sinner helped his opponent to the bench.
Jannik Sinner of Italy helps Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria get back to his bench after an injury during the Gentlemen's Singles fourth round match on day eight of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2025 in London, England.Fans were heartbroken. "Seriously don't think there has ever been a tennis player as unlucky as Grigor Dimitrov. He deserved a career-changing win today. Instead…devastating injury," wrote one on X.
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"I'm devastated," another fan wrote, calling Dimitrov "such an underrated player."
First, Dimitrov sat in a chair consulting with a trainer and wincing periodically as the trainer checked out the injury.
The game ground to a halt and even Sinner came over to check on Dimitrov.
Then Dimitrov left the court and, when he returned, he indicated that he was quitting the match due to the injury, sending Sinner to face Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals.
"Tough would be an understatement," one of the announcers said.
Dimitrov is a Bulgarian tennis pro from an athletic family.
Related: Grigor Dimitrov: Who Are His Family & Parents?
Sinner spoke to the crowd, expressing concern for Dimitrov.
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"I don't know what to say. He is an incredible player, and we all saw this today," Sinner said after Dimitrov left the match.
Sinner said that he was a "good friend of mine also. We understand each other very well off the court too."
He said it was difficult "seeing him at this position. If there would be a chance that he could play the next round, he would deserve, but mostly now I hope he has a speedy recovery."
Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria slips during Day Eight of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2025 in London, United Kingdom.Sinner said it was bad luck for Dimitrov and that he doesn't "take this as a win at all," calling it a very unfortunate moment for all to witness. He noted that Dimitrov had "struggled a lot with injury....We all saw with his reaction how much he cares about the sport... This is not the end we wanted to see. This is very sad."
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He then asked the crowd to applaud Dimitrov, which they did.
Related: Grigor Dimitrov's Famous Girlfriend Turns Heads at Wimbledon & on Instagram
Grigor Dimitrov Suffers Shock Pec Injury With Jannik Sinner on Ropes first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 7, 2025
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