Grigor Dimitrov. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Grigor Dimitrov handed another brutal break in Wimbledon loss

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 6:59 PM ET

Grigor Dimitrov just can't catch a break.

During the fourth round of the Wimbledon men's singles tournament, the 34-year-old — No. 21 in the world rankings — suffered a pectoral injury against No. 1 Jannik Sinner, forcing him to retire from the match despite winning the first two sets and being tied in the third, 6-3, 7-5, 2-2.

Per Wimbledon.com's IBM SlamTracker, Dimitrov had a 63% chance of winning the match at the time of his injury. He had clearly outplayed Sinner up to the point of his injury, holding a 36-19 advantage in winners and hitting 10 more aces, 14-4.

Afterward, Sinner acknowledged his unfortunate path to reaching the quarterfinals, saying, "I don't take this as a win at all."

Jannik Sinner showed respect to Grigor Dimitrov after he was forced to retire during their match at Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/c66Xb33Umi
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 7, 2025

Dimitrov was seeking to avenge a straight-set quarterfinals loss to Sinner at the 2024 French Open, the last grand slam event Dimitrov didn't leave due to injury.

He's been forced to retire at each major tournament since 2024 Wimbledon, when a groin injury resulted in him withdrawing in the first set of a fourth-round match against Daniil Medvedev while trailing 5-3.

Dimitrov also retired five games into the fourth set during a quarterfinal match against Frances Tiafoe at the 2024 U.S. Open, trailing 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 4-1.

This year, injuries have knocked the Bulgarian out in the first rounds at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

Dimitrov began the year No. 10 in the ATP Rankings but recently fell outside the top 20 for the first time since September 17, 2023.

As he showed on Monday, Dimitrov still has the talent to compete with the world's best players. If only his body would let him.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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