ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2023

Grigor Dimitrov

Press Conference

G. DIMITROV/E. Ruusuvuori

7-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Well done, Grigor. That was your first match against Emil. How did you feel today and how was the match?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Good. (Laughter.)

No, it's a good match, good match. I'm happy to finish in three sets. I think that was the important thing today, save as much energy as possible, and in good conditions. Good conditions. I felt great. So moving along.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Curious about your change of sponsor. When did you land on the French side?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: When did I what?

Q. When did you land on the French side?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: When did I land on the French side? So much, so much. Do you like it?

Q. (Off mic.)

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Do you like it? You do? New beginnings. New beginnings.

Q. I'd like to follow up on that question, if that's okay, because in England see Lacoste as the croc that rocks. Do you think you have any crocodile traits that might help you on the court? I know a lot of your fans are very interested in terms of your style and your dress sense. So if you could tell us a bit about whether you think you have any crocodile traits, and also a bit about your dress sense and if the clothing you wear and the colors you wear affect your personality.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I think it's safe to say yes. I'm fairly new to that, so I'm getting my grip around it. I'm very excited about that partnership.

I mean, Lacoste is one of the oldest well-known brands, so I'm very obviously honored to be part of that humble family, so to speak. I think it's very intriguing to me, very interesting to me in the same time.

As I said, it's nice to have also like a new beginning. I mean, I'm not gonna hide my excitement, as well. Whether I have the, what was it?

Q. The croc that rocks.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: The croc that rocks. There you go. The croc that rocks from Bulgaria now. That's going to be a good one (smiling). I hope that sticks out.

And, you know, I feel very comfortable in the outfit. I think it suits my personality, suits my style.

Now this is the good side, and we're going to show the rock 'n roll maybe a little later. Time will tell the rest.

Q. You talked about being happy to conserve energy. How difficult is it when you're on the match court wanting to do that but then also wanting to take the risks that you need to take to execute your game? Is that a struggle sometimes?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Yeah, but I don't look at it as taking a risk. I mean, it's a best-of-five. So you've just got to be aware throughout the whole time and use every possibility that you get out there.

You know, there are also games that I didn't think I played my best, but I stayed very calm, very composed. I used his mistakes. I felt like I had also a good amount of experience in those moments to keep on going, to keep on pushing to do the right things.

Ultimately that led me to success. During the match I don't think about it, like hopefully I finish in three sets, no, I don't say that to myself.

Yeah, I'm just trying to stay as much as composed and focused with myself in order for me to create more opportunities and of course use the right ones.

Q. I don't know if you had the time to see it, but Sinner lost against Altmaier, so you play Altmaier next. You have good momentum, good form from the last tournament and now. Just want to know how good do you know Altmaier, and how do you approach this match? Do you see yourself as favorite or even match? Or just explore that a bit.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: No, I know how he plays. I didn't see the match. Listen, he has just as much time to rest as me. It's going to be a tough match. I'm gonna treat it as a tough match. I'm gonna prepare, gonna focus on whatever I have to do to get myself ready for it and expect a tough battle.