Grigor Dimitrov has undergone surgery following the pectoral injury that forced him to retire from his Wimbledon fourth-round clash against Jannik Sinner while leading by two sets. The Bulgarian described the incident as “one of the most painful moments of my career”, admitting that sometimes the heart wants to push forward but “the universe has a different plan for us”.
Dimitrov, who had been playing one of his best matches in recent memory, was ahead 6-5 6-3 and tied at 2-2 in the third set when he was forced to stop due to a tear in his right pectoral muscle. Sinner later accompanied him off court in a moment that drew widespread empathy across the tennis world. Dimitrov has since shared an update on Instagram, appearing post-surgery with a calm expression and a plate of food in front of him. He thanked fans, friends, fellow players and the wider tennis community for the overwhelming support he received during what he called a difficult time. “Having to withdraw from that match at Wimbledon was one of the most painful moments of my career,” wrote the world number 21. “Your messages really lifted me up. Thank you all. Truly.”
His agent, Georgi Stoimenov, confirmed to Tennis Fate that the injury is a partial tear, and crucially, the initial fear of a season-ending setback has been avoided. While an exact recovery timeline remains uncertain, Dimitrov is aiming to return in time for the US Open at the end of August. However, any premature comeback could be risky, especially considering the 34-year-old’s recurring physical issues. He has now withdrawn from his last five Grand Slam tournaments, starting with a retirement against Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon 2024, followed by injuries against Frances Tiafoe at the US Open, Francesco Passaro in Melbourne, Ethan Quinn at Roland Garros, and most recently against Sinner.
Despite the setbacks, Dimitrov remains positive. “Recovery starts now. See you all soon,” he concluded.
