THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2023

Grigor Dimitrov

Press Conference

G. DIMITROV/S. Shimabukuro

6-1, 6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Just wanted to ask you if you were disrupted by the protests on the court, if it affected you at all. From the scoreline didn't look like it, but how it played on your mind.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Obviously it's not pleasant. In the end of the day there is not much you can do. I think everyone in a way did their part as quick as possible.

I mean, rain was coming so it was also a little bit fortunate to come off the court and have some time to, you know, kind of like regroup a little bit and, you know, shake it off.

Yeah, I thought everything was just handled good. I think, yeah, after that when we came back on the court was just all good.

Q. Are you happy with the security arrangements here? You don't feel threatened at all as a player around the courts?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: No, no, not at all. Especially players like us are very aware of whatever is happening around. I think we are never left unguarded anywhere we have to go outside the grounds. So yeah, I mean, walking to the court, you're always surrounded by the right people.

Yeah, I mean, I for one feel okay with everything on that end. And again, it just can happen, I mean, anyway if you're in the wrong place in the wrong time.

Q. In general, you, entertainers and singers, all that are in a spot where you're in the middle of something. Throughout your career, because we are seeing especially now all these singers getting things thrown at them and it's a bit crazy, was there ever a moment in your career where you were acutely aware of possible dangers being in that position? Is it a vulnerable position to be in?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I mean, if you think about it, yes. You're just out there in a way. And also the security are checking the bags when they are entering the grounds, but you just never know what the person might do.

I mean, of course, I vaguely remember something a long, long time ago, but I don't think to a point where I'm thinking, like, oh, my God, this is like, you know, threatening to that extent.

It's just like, you know, it's part of your job if you think about it. You just don't know what's going to happen. Doesn't matter how protected you are. A phone can be thrown in, anything can happen.

Yeah, in the end of the day, you're aware, but also, in the same time when you're in the game, whatever you do is very difficult to think of things from outside.

Q. Are you players briefed about what to do just in case the protest that happened before the tournament? Were you told if something happens, this is what you do?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I think even if we are briefed or whatever, you just don't know how to do certain situations. They can say, Okay, don't do that, or run off the court, or I don't know, be ready with your racquet. I think that's a little bit out of our control.

The only thing we can do, you all have instincts, right? Even if we're briefed or someone had said something to us, for example, the guy said, Can you please stand next to me as soon as that thing happened, so we have to respect the rule on that end. That's what we did.

Q. Maybe not you but do you think sometimes that instinct may lead to a player like what we saw on the cricket last week, the player actually --

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I heard something...

Q. -- went to the protester and actually took him off the ground. Perhaps it could have happened where a player went and reacted like that?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I mean, my first reaction was initially to go also, but then I also realized that's not my place to do that.

I think it just depends on the person. Whatever instinct you have. It's very difficult to tell you, honestly, on that end.

But it's just, I mean, again, even if you're aware, you just don't know. Things happen unexpectedly, and as I said, sometimes you're just at the wrong place at the wrong time. When that happens... Yeah.

Q. It was a long wait before you played this match. How do you manage those sort of delays? What do you like to do when you're on-site waiting?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Today was obviously very difficult day. On and off is very delicate. Fine line with food, rest, naps, whatever else it is that you want to do.

I think I for one feel very, you know, I feel very calm in situations like that, because in a way, funny to say it, I like it. The only thing I don't enjoy is warming up again, because my body goes like stop-and-go.

But in a way, I think that's part of the beauty of this tournament if you think about it. There were times I played one of my first matches for three days. Can't complain on it, but it's difficult. It's challenging. It makes I think the win maybe more sweeter.

But yeah, it's a very fine line. On top of that, I feel like I have quite a bit of experience in situations like that, so I, you know, I take it as just as a regularity for me.

Q. Why do you like it? Do you catch up with people, socialize?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: No, I mean, all the facilities are so nice around. You lay around, always a place for you to sit down in the corner, listen to music, read a book, keep on being active, do a little bicycle. Whatever it is that you can do.

So you do it. So, you know, honestly, that's all you can do. I don't know. I guess I'm enjoying it more with each year (smiling).

Q. You're one of the players who have actually played tennis in Saudi. What was your experience there? Because there is a lot of talk of potentially the ATP getting investment from it. What was your personal experience there?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: It was great. It was my first time there. I think more and more tournaments should be actually played out there in that part of the world. I think it's great.

I think the people really enjoy it. I think the fans are really up for it. I think it was, you know, everything was well organized. I mean, I enjoyed the weather as well.

I feel like there is a lot of good possibilities in the future. How that all will unfold, I don't know. But I'm all for it. It was a great experience for me.

Q. You were serving quite well today. Of course serve is always your big weapon, but I was sitting behind your coach and I heard your coach giving some like tips about maybe your toss. I was just wondering if you tried to improve something on your serve, so if you can talk a little bit about that.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Yeah, no, not really. I think it's just like keeping -- you know, on grass in a way, I always say it's a very basic game on grass. If you follow the right rules with whatever shot it is, your success rate is increasing.

I think for me, I don't know, like the past days I think I have been serving well and I think also like my toss has been on a good placement maybe. So that was probably the reinforcement from him to keep on saying, you know, something about the toss.

But nothing, how can I say nothing major, not that much to improve now (smiling).

But, you know, during a tournament I think it's, you're done with improvement. Now you need to get out there on the court and really go after what you have been working on, what you have been trying, and how can I say, like how things have been going on for you. Obviously it was a good match today. I served well. A lot of things were in a good place. I need to, you know, I need to take it, stay humble, look after my next opponent.