ROLAND GARROS

June 2, 2024

Grigor Dimitrov

Press Conference

G. DIMITROV/H. Hurkacz

7-6, 6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. First time quarterfinalist here at French Open. How do you feel about it?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Great (laughing). Great, very happy with the way the day went. Yeah, I was just preparing more I think mentally than anything else. I knew it was going to be a very difficult match, very tricky.

I wasn't sure how both of us would play, but I just wanted to put myself in the best state to play well. Then, yeah, I managed to stay very solid throughout the whole time on the match. Then it ended up in a good way.

Q. Seems like you are one with the clay this year. You've got it all over your body in the third set. You have blood on your hands, blood on your face. Is that what it takes to finally make the quarterfinals here?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Evidently. I guess. I mean, I don't know. I was so into the match that I was not paying attention to any of that. Yeah, my grip was all covered in blood. I just realized after.

It's how it is. I don't mind that. It actually brings me back to a lot of the childhood memories when I used to play on various surfaces, and of course, the clay back home. It brought good memories.

Just really happy that I was able to make that extra step here. This is something I've always wanted. I just felt that there was always some sort of, not obstacles, but there was always a little something to make the next step.

But, you know, today I felt everything was on my side, but in the same time I really tried to play my game and just be as aggressive as I possibly can and use my physicality.

Q. Today match was very good from gentleman side because you have a lot of respect to each other. How can you describe this match from this side because it was contested?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I think this is very, very important. For me, Hubi is definitely one of the nicest guys on tour, hands down. I think it's very important to keep that. We'll see each other every week, and it's a lovely moment. Plus, we know each other very well. So in a way, anywhere we play from Suzanne Lenglen to Court 17, I think we both would treat each other the same way.

I have a lot of respect for him on and off the court.

Q. Last night we saw another amazing Djokovic match. You've played him on clay a few times before. Obviously we don't think of him as a clay specialist because of Rafa and how good he is on other surfaces, but he has won three of these. I just wondered --

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Pretty cool, huh?

Q. Yeah, it's not bad. Can you describe what it's like playing him on clay and what he does that's so good on this surface, and it's maybe different than he does to other surfaces.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: He's able to adapt. He's able to adapt. That's just how it is. Above all, he's probably one of the best fighters out there.

I mean, I went to bed I think after the second set or third. I totally forgot what time I went to bed. It was late. It was, like, 1:00 or 2:00. The same thing. After I finished treatment, I saw the score. I was, like, oh, I don't know what's going to happen. I wake up and I see, what is it, Love in the fifth. It was like, hmm. We've seen that a couple of times before.

But clearly he's one of -- I think one of the very few players that have been able to adapt to any surface and any changes and any player I think over the years.

He's been able to maybe master it or find something else, like an extra gear, when he most, you know, need it. I guess that's what happened last night. I couldn't really see the rest of the match, so...

Q. Can you tell us exactly what you did to your hand and your elbow? I'm assuming they were from that dive there. And any effect in your next match?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Zero. Zero. Zero. I just completely opened up my -- just wounds. If that's the case, I'm fine, really. I just want to heal as quick as possible.

I think obviously just to make sure I hold the grip well. I don't even know at which point it happened. I'm kind of -- I have to, like, look back at it.

But, yeah, I was just telling myself I'm going to get to every single ball that is there. I'm, like, no ball is passing me.

But, yeah, that's just how it is. I think on clay it's -- I mean, I think finally today it was actually one of the best conditions to play. No roof. Weather was great, blue skies. Good timing to play, not too cold, not too hot. I think in the end it was a very nice day to play tennis.

Yeah, I left it all out there.

Q. Are there any other bandages we can't see?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I was about to say something. You don't want to see my pants down. My knees are -- they're all scratched up. It's fine.

Q. We still don't know who you're going to play in the next round, but let's pretend it's Jannik Sinner. What do you expect from him, and what would you ask to yourself?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I've been approaching every match the same way, so I think there's not going to be any difference whoever I play, whether it's Jannik or somebody else. Yes, clearly he's been playing good tennis, winning a lot of matches this year. Lost to him in the final in Miami.

You know, great competitor, but so am I. Yeah, you enter into a very good place at a Grand Slam where I think we all want to be. It's an exciting moment. It's a good occasion. Let's play it out.

Q. Just curious over the last 15 years, was there ever a moment where you doubted seriously that you would make this breakthrough into the quarterfinal? Also, just wanted to check, did Hubert want the umpire changed? Could you explain what happened when you guys were talking?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Listen, I think the thing is we all can say very difficult things in the heat of a moment. I'm sure whatever he said, it was not meant in a bad way. As I said, he is one of the nicest guys on tour.

Also, the umpires, they're trying their best. It's a tricky business out there when the ball gets so close to the line. So I think they're doing their best.

On his end we can all say difficult things in the heat of a moment, so I don't think he meant anything bad on that end. As I said, everyone tries to do their best. I think when you play match from such a caliber, when you see it from the outside, of course, it gets tough on both ends.

As I said, he doesn't mean any harm or anything like that.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

GRIGOR DIMITROV: No, not doubt. I don't think doubt, but I was wondering more so than anything else, but that was a long wondering, yeah. I think better late than never.