Watch: Sinner carries injured Dimitrov's bags off court after heartbreaking retirement
"I don't know what to say because he's an incredible player. I think we all saw that today," Sinner said. "He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years. He's a good friend of mine, and we understand each other very well off the court. If there were a chance he could play the next round, he would deserve it." "I don't take this as a win at all."Jannik Sinner was full of respect for his friend Grigor Dimitrov after he was forced to retire.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bQTsxUM8Mu— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025"I don't take this as a win at all," he added. "Just an unfortunate moment to witness for all of us."Sinner came into the match on a roll, having not dropped serve in 36 games. But Dimitrov broke him at the first opportunity, raced to a 2-0 lead, and delivered near-flawless tennis to close out the opening set. Even after Sinner took a medical timeout for an elbow issue in the second set, Dimitrov held his nerve to take a two-set lead, showing the kind of form that once made him a top-three player.The Italian began to claw his way back in the third, but the match ended abruptly with Dimitrov's retirement - his fifth consecutive Grand Slam exit due to injury.Though Sinner advances to face No. 10 seed Ben Shelton of the United States in the quarterfinals - his seventh straight Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance - there was no sense of triumph in his demeanor.The moment between the two players didn't go unnoticed. Fans and fellow pros took to social media to praise the sportsmanship:"Respect to Jannik, heartbreaking for Grigor." "Such a sad end. Beautifully handled by both players.""Gracious, truly gracious. Now go win it for him."- Ends
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