Jannik Sinner survives Wimbledon clash after Grigor Dimitrov retires injured
The popular Bulgarian was in command, too, leading 6-3 7-5 2-all before breaking down physically and emotionally.
The 34-year-old fired down an ace and then collapsed in pain with a right pectoral injury.
Sinner rushed to the other side of the net when he realised his friend was in distress.
The world No.19 left the court to receive retreatment but returned in tears, unable to go on.
It was a shattering blow for the veteran star who at times has been compared to the legendary Roger Federer.
With his good arm he lifted up his own injured hand so he could shake the umpire's hand ... he then sobbed into a towel, with Federer watching on and also looking emotional.
'I don't know what to say. He is an incredible player. We all saw this today,' Sinner, who also needed treatment after falling on his elbow, said.
'He has been so unlucky (over) the past couple of years and he is an incredible player and a good friend of mine, also.
'Seeing him in this position, if there would be a chance he could play the next round, he would deserve to. It is very, very unlucky from his side. I don't take this as a win at all.
'It is a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us. In the last grand slams, he has struggled a lot with injury, and seeing him having this sort of injury, it is very tough. He is one of the most hard-working players in tennis. It is not the end we wanted to see.
'It is very sad.'
Fans were shattered by the devastating scenes.
'Absolutely heartbreaking watching Grigor Dimitrov in such terrible pain. He has to withdraw injured 🥺 2 sets to 0 UP about to knock the world No.1 player out of Wimbledon. Man, that is unbelievably cruel. Dimitrov plays so well then this happens way too often. He must be cursed 😫,' one tennis fan said.
And another: 'Gutting. To be in this position, to be playing so well against the tennis monster that is Sinner and to be forced out of the match. Genuinely choked me up, watching Dimitrov in tears.'
And another: 'The greatest and unluckiest player of all time. We know who you are Grigor Dimitrov, true champ.'
After the match, Sinner was asked if he had had another chance to speak to Dimitrov.
'I don't know,' he said.
'I saw him, but in these situations he is with the team. I don't want to get too close.
'We are good friends, but it's a very tough moment. For me, going there and talking, I don't think it's the right moment. I don't know anything at the moment.'
Sinner was also asked about the extent of his own injury to his elbow.
'It happened very early in the match. First game. Quite unfortunate fall,' he said.
'Checked the videos a bit. It didn't seem like a tough one but I still felt it quite a lot. Especially on the serve and forehand. I could feel it.
'Let's see. Tomorrow we are gonna check to see how it is. Let's see.'
If Sinner is passed fit, he will play American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinal after the American downed Lorenzo Sonego 3-6 6-1 7-6 (1) 7-5.
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The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Injury rescues world No.1 from early Wimbledon exit
Two sets down and nursing an elbow injury, Jannik Sinner's Wimbledon looked done when the roof was closed on Centre Court. Grigor Dimitrov was playing sublime tennis on Monday and the world No.1's five-set record would not have encouraged him, Sinner having lost six, won one. Two games later Dimitrov, having just served an ace to tie up the third set 2-2, slumped to the ground holding the pectoral muscle on the right, serving side of his chest. It looked bad, and it was. Sinner helped his stricken opponent to his feet, the medics attended to the Bulgarian, he briefly stepped off court, then returned and conceded. The 34-year-old was in so much discomfort he had to use his left arm to support his right arm when he shook hands with the chair umpire, grimacing as he did so. This was the fifth grand slam in succession in which Dimitrov has been forced to quit through injury, and he was distraught. And Sinner did not seem like a man who enjoyed his reprieve. "I don't take this as a win at all, this is just an unfortunate moment for us to witness," said the top seed after advancing with the scores 3-6 5-7 2-2. "He has struggled in grand slams with injuries a lot, so seeing him again with this injury is very tough. "He has been so unlucky in the past couple of years. He is an incredible player who is a good friend of mine. We understand each other very well off the court. "Seeing him in this position, if there was a chance for him to be in the next round he would deserve it. "This is not the end we wanted to see and it's very sad." Sinner, nevertheless, is into the last eight and a meeting with Ben Shelton, who had seen off another Italian, Lorenzo Sonego, 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 earlier on Monday. Sinner will hope his elbow complaint, which happened when he braced a fall with his right hand while still holding his racquet, is not serious because Shelton has looked in powerful form. By reaching the last eight, the American beat his watching father's best at Wimbledon, Bryan Shelton having been stopped in the fourth round in 1994. "He was a serve-and-volleyer. Big serve. Came forward all the time. He would like to see me coming forward a little bit more than I am. My argument is I think I'm better than him from the baseline," Shelton said. In the other quarter-final in this section of the draw, Novak Djokovic, who beat Australia's Alex de Minaur in four sets after losing the first 6-1, will meet Flavio Cobolli. The Italian defeated Marin Ciic 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) on No.2 court. Cobolli, who like Shelton is coached by his father, said: "I'm real emotional because this is the day that I never forget." Talking of Cilic, a former US Open winner and Wimbledon finalist, Cobolli added: "Everyone on my family, on my team, always told me that I live for this kind of match. "I think is true because I really love to play against a big player, against a legend of our sport. I like to play on this kind of stage, this kind of tournament." Next up is Djokovic on a show court. They don't come much bigger than that. Two sets down and nursing an elbow injury, Jannik Sinner's Wimbledon looked done when the roof was closed on Centre Court. Grigor Dimitrov was playing sublime tennis on Monday and the world No.1's five-set record would not have encouraged him, Sinner having lost six, won one. Two games later Dimitrov, having just served an ace to tie up the third set 2-2, slumped to the ground holding the pectoral muscle on the right, serving side of his chest. It looked bad, and it was. Sinner helped his stricken opponent to his feet, the medics attended to the Bulgarian, he briefly stepped off court, then returned and conceded. The 34-year-old was in so much discomfort he had to use his left arm to support his right arm when he shook hands with the chair umpire, grimacing as he did so. This was the fifth grand slam in succession in which Dimitrov has been forced to quit through injury, and he was distraught. And Sinner did not seem like a man who enjoyed his reprieve. "I don't take this as a win at all, this is just an unfortunate moment for us to witness," said the top seed after advancing with the scores 3-6 5-7 2-2. "He has struggled in grand slams with injuries a lot, so seeing him again with this injury is very tough. "He has been so unlucky in the past couple of years. He is an incredible player who is a good friend of mine. We understand each other very well off the court. "Seeing him in this position, if there was a chance for him to be in the next round he would deserve it. "This is not the end we wanted to see and it's very sad." Sinner, nevertheless, is into the last eight and a meeting with Ben Shelton, who had seen off another Italian, Lorenzo Sonego, 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 earlier on Monday. Sinner will hope his elbow complaint, which happened when he braced a fall with his right hand while still holding his racquet, is not serious because Shelton has looked in powerful form. By reaching the last eight, the American beat his watching father's best at Wimbledon, Bryan Shelton having been stopped in the fourth round in 1994. "He was a serve-and-volleyer. Big serve. Came forward all the time. He would like to see me coming forward a little bit more than I am. My argument is I think I'm better than him from the baseline," Shelton said. In the other quarter-final in this section of the draw, Novak Djokovic, who beat Australia's Alex de Minaur in four sets after losing the first 6-1, will meet Flavio Cobolli. The Italian defeated Marin Ciic 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) on No.2 court. Cobolli, who like Shelton is coached by his father, said: "I'm real emotional because this is the day that I never forget." Talking of Cilic, a former US Open winner and Wimbledon finalist, Cobolli added: "Everyone on my family, on my team, always told me that I live for this kind of match. "I think is true because I really love to play against a big player, against a legend of our sport. I like to play on this kind of stage, this kind of tournament." Next up is Djokovic on a show court. They don't come much bigger than that. Two sets down and nursing an elbow injury, Jannik Sinner's Wimbledon looked done when the roof was closed on Centre Court. Grigor Dimitrov was playing sublime tennis on Monday and the world No.1's five-set record would not have encouraged him, Sinner having lost six, won one. Two games later Dimitrov, having just served an ace to tie up the third set 2-2, slumped to the ground holding the pectoral muscle on the right, serving side of his chest. It looked bad, and it was. Sinner helped his stricken opponent to his feet, the medics attended to the Bulgarian, he briefly stepped off court, then returned and conceded. The 34-year-old was in so much discomfort he had to use his left arm to support his right arm when he shook hands with the chair umpire, grimacing as he did so. This was the fifth grand slam in succession in which Dimitrov has been forced to quit through injury, and he was distraught. And Sinner did not seem like a man who enjoyed his reprieve. "I don't take this as a win at all, this is just an unfortunate moment for us to witness," said the top seed after advancing with the scores 3-6 5-7 2-2. "He has struggled in grand slams with injuries a lot, so seeing him again with this injury is very tough. "He has been so unlucky in the past couple of years. He is an incredible player who is a good friend of mine. We understand each other very well off the court. "Seeing him in this position, if there was a chance for him to be in the next round he would deserve it. "This is not the end we wanted to see and it's very sad." Sinner, nevertheless, is into the last eight and a meeting with Ben Shelton, who had seen off another Italian, Lorenzo Sonego, 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 earlier on Monday. Sinner will hope his elbow complaint, which happened when he braced a fall with his right hand while still holding his racquet, is not serious because Shelton has looked in powerful form. By reaching the last eight, the American beat his watching father's best at Wimbledon, Bryan Shelton having been stopped in the fourth round in 1994. "He was a serve-and-volleyer. Big serve. Came forward all the time. He would like to see me coming forward a little bit more than I am. My argument is I think I'm better than him from the baseline," Shelton said. In the other quarter-final in this section of the draw, Novak Djokovic, who beat Australia's Alex de Minaur in four sets after losing the first 6-1, will meet Flavio Cobolli. The Italian defeated Marin Ciic 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) on No.2 court. Cobolli, who like Shelton is coached by his father, said: "I'm real emotional because this is the day that I never forget." Talking of Cilic, a former US Open winner and Wimbledon finalist, Cobolli added: "Everyone on my family, on my team, always told me that I live for this kind of match. "I think is true because I really love to play against a big player, against a legend of our sport. I like to play on this kind of stage, this kind of tournament." Next up is Djokovic on a show court. They don't come much bigger than that. Two sets down and nursing an elbow injury, Jannik Sinner's Wimbledon looked done when the roof was closed on Centre Court. Grigor Dimitrov was playing sublime tennis on Monday and the world No.1's five-set record would not have encouraged him, Sinner having lost six, won one. Two games later Dimitrov, having just served an ace to tie up the third set 2-2, slumped to the ground holding the pectoral muscle on the right, serving side of his chest. It looked bad, and it was. Sinner helped his stricken opponent to his feet, the medics attended to the Bulgarian, he briefly stepped off court, then returned and conceded. The 34-year-old was in so much discomfort he had to use his left arm to support his right arm when he shook hands with the chair umpire, grimacing as he did so. This was the fifth grand slam in succession in which Dimitrov has been forced to quit through injury, and he was distraught. And Sinner did not seem like a man who enjoyed his reprieve. "I don't take this as a win at all, this is just an unfortunate moment for us to witness," said the top seed after advancing with the scores 3-6 5-7 2-2. "He has struggled in grand slams with injuries a lot, so seeing him again with this injury is very tough. "He has been so unlucky in the past couple of years. He is an incredible player who is a good friend of mine. We understand each other very well off the court. "Seeing him in this position, if there was a chance for him to be in the next round he would deserve it. "This is not the end we wanted to see and it's very sad." Sinner, nevertheless, is into the last eight and a meeting with Ben Shelton, who had seen off another Italian, Lorenzo Sonego, 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 earlier on Monday. Sinner will hope his elbow complaint, which happened when he braced a fall with his right hand while still holding his racquet, is not serious because Shelton has looked in powerful form. By reaching the last eight, the American beat his watching father's best at Wimbledon, Bryan Shelton having been stopped in the fourth round in 1994. "He was a serve-and-volleyer. Big serve. Came forward all the time. He would like to see me coming forward a little bit more than I am. My argument is I think I'm better than him from the baseline," Shelton said. In the other quarter-final in this section of the draw, Novak Djokovic, who beat Australia's Alex de Minaur in four sets after losing the first 6-1, will meet Flavio Cobolli. The Italian defeated Marin Ciic 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) on No.2 court. Cobolli, who like Shelton is coached by his father, said: "I'm real emotional because this is the day that I never forget." Talking of Cilic, a former US Open winner and Wimbledon finalist, Cobolli added: "Everyone on my family, on my team, always told me that I live for this kind of match. "I think is true because I really love to play against a big player, against a legend of our sport. I like to play on this kind of stage, this kind of tournament." Next up is Djokovic on a show court. They don't come much bigger than that.
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
Roger Federer ‘in shock' at disturbing sight of Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon
Roger Federer's face said it all as Grigor Dimitrov suffered one of the most heartbreaking moments tennis has seen in recent years. The Bulgarian had already stunned tennis commentators when he took the first two sets from world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in their Wimbledon fourth-round match on Tuesday morning when disaster struck. Dimitrov left Wimbledon's Centre Court in tears as Sinner was granted a get out of jail free card, trailing 3-6, 5-7, 2-2, when the veteran went down with a painful pectoral injury. Dimitrov had been serving thunder right from his first service game and had 14 aces compared to Sinner's four. However, it was serving a final ace out wide when he collapsed onto the court holding his pectoral muscle and shouted out in pain as Sinner rushed to his aid. Sinner himself had suffered a nasty fall in the opening game of the fourth-round clash and appeared to be suffering discomfort in his right elbow. The Italian was unable to cope with Dimitrov's varied style across the opening two sets, and was staring at a shock exit when trailing. Yet the 34-year-old Bulgarian, who has now retired in each of his past five Grand Slam appearances, pulled up holding his right pectoral muscle and was unable to continue. 'Honestly I don't know what to say,' said Sinner. 'He is an incredible player, I think we all saw this today. 'He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years. An incredible player, a good friend of mine also. We understand each other very well off the court too. 'Seeing him in this position, honestly, if there would be a chance that he could play the next round, he would deserve it.' Sinner realised Dimitrov was in serious need of help as soon as he saw his opponent fall onto the grass. The No. 19 seed went off court, but he returned just moments later in tears and was unable to continue, barely able to wave to acknowledge the crowd's warm ovation. 'I hope he has a speedy recovery,' said Sinner, 23. 'It's very unlucky from his side. I don't take this as a win at all. This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us. 'I think already in the last Grand Slams he has struggled a lot with injuries and seeing him now again having this kind of injury is very, very tough. We all saw this with his reaction, how much he cares about the sport.' Dimitrov's injury woes began 12 months ago at Wimbledon, where he slipped and damaged his knee in the first set of his fourth-round clash against Daniil Medvedev. He was forced to retire from matches at the US Open, Australian Open and the recent French Open. Tennis commentators, including Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, expressed their sadness on social media after watching Dimitrov walk off. 'This isn't cool at all. Prayers up for Dimitrov,' Kyrgios posted on X. Kokkinakis wrote a similar injury had 'ruined' his life for the past five years. American commentator Patrick McEnroe said he was 'absolutely gutted'. Leading tennis journalist Jose Morgado noted Federer had been 'in shock'. 'I cannot believe this,' he posted. 'Simply heartbreaking.' Sinner, into the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the fourth consecutive year, will next face world number 10 Ben Shelton, who earlier beat Lorenzo Sonego in four sets. He is on a potential semi-final collision course with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, but there will be question marks over the Italian's own fitness after his struggles against Dimitrov. Djokovic had to come from a set behind to defeat Aussie Alex de Minaur in four sets. The Serbian was also in trouble in the fourth set before finishing the match winning 20 of the final 24 points of the match. Sinner has never reached the Wimbledon final, going as far as the semi-finals in 2023. He has played in the past three Grand Slam finals, taking the title at the US Open and the Australian Open and losing the French Open showpiece in a five-set epic against Carlos Alcaraz in June. In the last eight, Djokovic faces Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli, who defeated former Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4/7) 7-6 (7/3). American 10th seed Ben Shelton was the other early men's victor, defeating Italy's Lorenzo Sonego 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 7-5 to reach his first Wimbledon quarter-final. In the women's draw, Liudmila Samsonova, beat Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-5 7-5 to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final. Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva, 18, also reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time with a 6-2 6-3 win against American 10th seed Emma Navarro, who ended Barbora Krejcikova's reign as champion on Saturday. Andreeva next plays former Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic who made her maiden Wimbledon quarter-final with a 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 victory against Russian world number 17 Ekaterina Alexandrova. Quarter-finals locked in Gentlemen's quarter finals: Jannik Sinner (1) vs Ben Shelton (10) Novak Djokovic vs Flavio Cobolli (22) Taylor Fritz (5) Karen Khachanov (17) Carlos Alcaraz (2) vs Cameron Norrie Ladies' quarter-finals: Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Laura Siegemund Amanda Anisimova (13) vs AnastasiaPavlyuchenkova Mirra Andreeva (7) vs Belinda Bencic Iga Swiatek (8) vs Liudmila Samsonova (19) — with AFP
7NEWS
7 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Jannik Sinner survives Wimbledon clash after Grigor Dimitrov retires injured
There were tears on Centre Court at Wimbledon as much-loved veteran Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire during his clash with Italian superstar Jannik Sinner. The popular Bulgarian was in command, too, leading 6-3 7-5 2-all before breaking down physically and emotionally. The 34-year-old fired down an ace and then collapsed in pain with a right pectoral injury. Sinner rushed to the other side of the net when he realised his friend was in distress. The world No.19 left the court to receive retreatment but returned in tears, unable to go on. It was a shattering blow for the veteran star who at times has been compared to the legendary Roger Federer. With his good arm he lifted up his own injured hand so he could shake the umpire's hand ... he then sobbed into a towel, with Federer watching on and also looking emotional. 'I don't know what to say. He is an incredible player. We all saw this today,' Sinner, who also needed treatment after falling on his elbow, said. 'He has been so unlucky (over) the past couple of years and he is an incredible player and a good friend of mine, also. 'Seeing him in this position, if there would be a chance he could play the next round, he would deserve to. It is very, very unlucky from his side. I don't take this as a win at all. 'It is a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us. In the last grand slams, he has struggled a lot with injury, and seeing him having this sort of injury, it is very tough. He is one of the most hard-working players in tennis. It is not the end we wanted to see. 'It is very sad.' Fans were shattered by the devastating scenes. 'Absolutely heartbreaking watching Grigor Dimitrov in such terrible pain. He has to withdraw injured 🥺 2 sets to 0 UP about to knock the world No.1 player out of Wimbledon. Man, that is unbelievably cruel. Dimitrov plays so well then this happens way too often. He must be cursed 😫,' one tennis fan said. And another: 'Gutting. To be in this position, to be playing so well against the tennis monster that is Sinner and to be forced out of the match. Genuinely choked me up, watching Dimitrov in tears.' And another: 'The greatest and unluckiest player of all time. We know who you are Grigor Dimitrov, true champ.' After the match, Sinner was asked if he had had another chance to speak to Dimitrov. 'I don't know,' he said. 'I saw him, but in these situations he is with the team. I don't want to get too close. 'We are good friends, but it's a very tough moment. For me, going there and talking, I don't think it's the right moment. I don't know anything at the moment.' Sinner was also asked about the extent of his own injury to his elbow. 'It happened very early in the match. First game. Quite unfortunate fall,' he said. 'Checked the videos a bit. It didn't seem like a tough one but I still felt it quite a lot. Especially on the serve and forehand. I could feel it. 'Let's see. Tomorrow we are gonna check to see how it is. Let's see.' If Sinner is passed fit, he will play American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinal after the American downed Lorenzo Sonego 3-6 6-1 7-6 (1) 7-5.
