UNITED CUP

December 29, 2022

Grigor Dimitrov

Team Bulgaria

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/G. Dimitrov

4-6, 6-2, 7-6

Team Greece - 2

Team Bulgaria - 0

THE MODERATOR: Very tough battle today. The result was so close. You didn't get it. Any positive things from your first battle of the year?

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: Yeah, I think the first matches are never easy, but I think we both came out and played a really good match. Was a shame. I felt like I was doing much better in the third set. I think I had more opportunities, and I created more opportunities.

In a way, it kind of came down to one point in the tiebreak, I felt. I mean, that's the sport. Tomorrow is another day. I need to just stay positive and really believe in the work I have put in and continue in the same way. I think this is the most important thing.

The year is yet to begin, but for me, it already started six, seven weeks ago. I mean, I'm full with positivity and energy and I think with good health. I think little by little things will come together.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You guys played a fantastic match for the Perth crowd. They just loved you. Were you surprised by the support you were getting? There was a big section there giving you a lot of support.

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: No, definitely not. I think it's great. It's amazing to have that. I think often when I come to Australia, sometimes I see familiar faces and all that. Our country is so far away from Australia, so when we come to play I think we feel the love from the crowd.

I think it's amazing. The stadium was nearly full, so I think that was a lot of fun for us and I think for the whole team. Yeah, I mean, we are here to play. Just the first day. Honestly, very unfortunate day. I felt like both of our matches were on the plate a little bit, and they kind of ran away. Now we just need to focus on what's ahead.

Q. Can you give us an update on Isabella? Do you expect her to play in a few days' time?

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: We'll see. I was just actually talking to her. She seems to be recovering, but I think it's yet for me to determine what her next move is going to be.

But I mean I obviously need to reassess a bit more of how I think just overall legs are and whatever the issue is to that extent, and then I think I'm going to make a better decision.

Q. Was there any impact in being captain and having to deal with all that right before you played? Was that something that was difficult to compartmentalize, or was it not so stressful at all?

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: Well, I have taken the role, so I need to take all the hits that also come with it, I guess (smiling).

It's a little different; I'm not gonna lie. It's for sure very different. I was in and out. I had to eat some and rest some and tie my shoes and prepare. Usually I have all that time to do things by myself for myself, and now it was in a completely different rhythm for me, which was okay. I mean, I did that in the ATP Cup.

Obviously it takes a little bit more energy than usual, but I felt that I was managing it I thought quite well, you know, again, even with my match. So it was a very close call. It's something that just you have got to deal with it, I guess.

Q. I know you have a whole other morning to focus on tomorrow with the rest of the tie with Greece, but then you also play again in a couple of days in another tie. How do you look ahead for that one for yourself and the fact you are going to take on, at this stage, David Goffin, and how do you look forward to that match?

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: Well, again, it's honestly just another match. I don't want to overthink right now. Just the sort of the bigger focus has to go I think more towards the team and towards everybody that's in the team. I think that's where the team spirit should be right now.

Of course when the time comes, I'm going to try to put everything in the right compartment and really focus on my singles match. As I said, it's all about sort of that spirit right now of the competition that everybody feels like is a big part, the energy is good. I think that's what also you could feed off that.

I think also a lot of them have played in team competitions, so that's the one thing that can put us I think closer. Yeah, I'm gonna think of that match when the time comes.

Q. Bad luck today. What's your message to your team going into Day 2?

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: Honestly I think the first thing is we don't have to keep our head down. It was, as I said, it was a day that both of the ties were sort of in our hands. I mean, Isabella was set -- she was a set and a break up. She had a lot of other opportunities throughout the match. Very unfortunate what happened with her physicality.

On my end, I mean, I really tried to do everything I could. 4-3 up, 15-40, not much else I could have done on all the other four serves that came on me. It was like we put ourselves in those positions. Shows that we are there. It's just the margins were so small. Yesterday it went that way but hopefully tomorrow it's going to go the other way.

Q. What was the experience like having men and women united on the bench together?

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: I like it. I'm easy with those things. I'm very, how can you say, receptive to those kind of formats. I mean, I enjoy that you can also talk to them, not only to the girls, to the guys. We talk about different things.

You know, sometimes if somebody is playing, we were thinking what is probably the best solution or what's the best way to play in the next game or to try something new. Each one can see something different. I think that's fun. I think, as I said, everybody like has taken this onboard and I think trying to make the most out of it.

Q. I just wanted to ask a bit more about the captaining and the experience today. Was it what you expected or did it feel how you expected courtside when you were talking to Isabella?

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: It's tough to watch. Honestly, it's very tough to watch. I have always said that. I have been in multiple player boxes over the years and watching matches on the side. Always, when you care, whether you like it or not, you feel the heat.

I think today was, in a way -- I mean, I already had the experience at ATP Cup, so I kind of knew what to expect and all that, but it just never gets old, that feeling, when you first step out on the court, when you hear the National Anthem, when you zip up that jacket, when you see the flag, it just, the whole preparation and the whole rhythm sort of kind of gets very different. It becomes like a different religion almost.

I have always liked that and have embraced it. We don't get a chance to do it obviously over the year, because you're very focused on yourself. But this time it's just another great feeling for me, I guess.

Q. In the context of your season now, obviously you have gone toe to toe with the world No. 4 in the first match, how does that set you up for 2023?

CAPTAIN DIMITROV: You know, I have always liked my chances against whoever I have played over the years. You know, I'm not going to speak too much about that, because there is just no reason. It's just the first match.

A lot of tennis to be played throughout next year. I have my goals. I'm really looking on my side of the net, and I really -- I'm saying it in a most respectful and positive way: I couldn't care who I'm playing right now. I have my own battle to fight, my own way of living, my own way of playing tennis.

I think I owe that to myself after being 14 years on tour. I have nothing to prove to anyone. I think that's what the best part comes, and that's the part where I'm really looking forward from me to me.