Grigor Dimitrov on Wimbledon injury: 'Recovery starts now'

Grigor Dimitrov shared an update Friday on the pectoral muscle injury that forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon this week with a huge lead against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

The 19th-seeded Bulgarian retired from Monday's Round of 16 match in London with a 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 lead against the top-seeded Italian.

"Sometimes the heart wants to keep going... but the universe has a different plan for us," Dimitrov posted Friday on Instagram with a photo of himself in a hospital bed. "Having to withdraw from this match at Wimbledon was one of the most painful moments of my career.

"Thank you for the overwhelming wave of love -- from family, friends, fans, colleagues, to the entire tennis community... your messages have genuinely lifted me through these hard times. Thank you all. Truly. Recovery starts now. I'll see you all soon. G."

Dimitrov, 34, has won nine singles titles on the ATP Tour but has never won a Grand Slam tournament. He reached the semifinals at Wimbledon (2014), the Australian Open (2017) and the U.S. Open (2019) and the quarterfinals at the French Open (2024).

The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion has withdrawn due to injury from the past four majors, including the Australian Open in January (groin) and Roland Garros in May (leg).