“One of the best seasons, absolutely” – Dimitrov enjoying his most successful year since a stellar 2017
The Bulgarian has been quietly putting together an excellent season, with everything seemingly falling into place in China
Grigor Dimitrov at the Madrid Open in 2023 (Laurent Lairys/Panoramic)
Grigor Dimitrov‘s career has often proved to be something of an oddity.
There are very few players to have graced the ATP Tour who possess the same level of technique, flair and sheer quality that the Bulgarian does.
Such is his ability that it drew comparisons with Roger Federer, leading to the perhaps unenviable nickname of ‘Baby Fed’ in the early days of Dimitrov’s career.
The level of expectation surrounding Dimitrov when he was a relative novice on tour may go some way to explaining why results have not always matched his ability.
That is not to say that he has not had success. Far from it.
Superb 2017 gives way to unexpected six-year trophy drought
In 2017, the then-26-year-old won four ATP titles – including a maiden Masters 1000 in Cincinnati and an unbeaten run to the ATP Tour Finals title in London – finishing the season as the world No 3, a milestone that remains a career-high for the Bulgarian.
That same year also saw Dimitrov come closer than he ever has to reaching a Grand Slam final, going down in five sets of dizzying quality to an inspired Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
Since that superb breakthrough season, however, Dimitrov has not won another ATP title.
Six years on from the crowning jewel of his 2017 season – winning the ATP Finals – the Bulgarian’s career has fluctuated greatly between promising flashes of brilliance and puzzling early losses.
Yet a ninth ATP title has always remained elusive.
An excellent 2023 campaign coming to a tantalising conclusion for Dimitrov
This year, however, consistency has been one of the hallmark themes of his season. Dimitrov has reached at least the third round of every major in 2023, while he has made frequent forays to the latter stages of tournaments and cracked back into the top 20.
Now, as the season draws ever nearer to a close with the current Asian swing, it feels as though all the pieces are falling into place for the talented Bulgarian.
“I think one of the best seasons, absolutely, no doubt about that,” Dimitrov said of his 2023 campaign in his post-match conference following an impressive win over Nicholas Jarry in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters.
During his run in Shanghai, Dimitrov has ended a three-match winless streak against Carlos Alcaraz for the first time in excellent fashion, before notching his first win over Jarry in three attempts one match later.
He is now two wins away from a coveted second career Masters 1000 title, and looks better-placed than at any point over the past six years to take a title of this prestige.
“I think also, I mean, if I look back, also a little bit more in 2017 it is, I think it was, obviously, my best year overall in terms of winning, like tournaments and matches and all that, but it was also a fairly patchy year.
“If I look back, I mean, I played throughout, some months I played really good, and then I had, I think, a moment about two, three months that I didn’t really win that many matches, so it was, in a way, very patchy.”
Consistency key for Dimitrov as he puts his trust in the process
It is interesting to hear Dimitrov talk about the disappointments of 2017, given it was by far his most successful year on tour. It gives a telling insight into how he values consistency over sporadic achievements, an ethos that has clearly been front and centre of his season this year.
Nevertheless, the six-year wait for a title for someone of Dimitrov’s calibre must act as great motivation for the world No 19.
He has a golden opportunity now to end that drought in style, but has two thorough examinations to pass before then.
Dimitrov has no intention of deviating from the mindset that has served him so well this year. Consistency, work ethic and incremental improvement are the key ingredients he has implemented, with the belief that big results will eventually follow.
In Baby Fed’s own words, “I’m going to look on my side of the net tomorrow and go after it.”
