US OPEN

September 1, 2024

Grigor Dimitrov

Press Conference

G. DIMITROV/A. Rublev

6-3, 7-6, 1-6, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Grigor, your thoughts on the match.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Yeah, tricky match. That's the least I can say. You know, you live through everything. I mean, I live through everything this match. I think it was a very challenging match for me on so many different levels.

When I look from my physicality to my, you know, the way that I felt after the first couple of sets, I mean, anything could have happened. The steal of the second set really helped me to keep on believing and to keep on trusting in my game and in my body.

I think after the first couple of sets he started playing amazing. I mean, there's not much else I could have done, so I had to pull the reins back a little bit and wait for an opportunity. I knew eventually I might get one throughout the fourth and the fifth. It happened in the fifth.

I think that was the big difference today. After that I run with the match, but it was very challenging.

We both knew what's going to happen in a way on a few big points. In a way it could have also gone either way, but I was just very happy how I stuck with my game and really also stepped up my game where I really needed it the most.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You have spoken about the importance of preparation and recovery and all of that. I just wondered how much confidence that gives you going into these matches knowing you've done all of that so well and also just how tough it is playing a good friend like Andrey.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I think let's start with the good friend part. It's never easy. Whoever that I'm kind of close to on tour. It always adds up to the occasion. Of course, we're professionals and we know what's at stake, but today was I think a match where -- I mean, I knew I could count on a lot of things in my game, and in a way I knew what I had to do like a little bit better than last time I played him.

The past I would say four weeks have been also a bit challenging I think for me physically because I wasn't really able to do certain things that I usually do before a slam, so that put a bit of a question mark. I put a question mark on myself.

But leading up to the Open I was kind of increasing the load of my body, the way I was practicing, the hours I was putting in. I really had to pace myself in a very different way than I've ever paced myself.

That's why I'm saying here is the experience of things for me that I think really, like, pushed me over the line. Of course, I'm building my game even more. I still believe I can step up a notch and play a better game.

Q. You cracked the top 10 this year. You made the quarters in Paris. You're making the quarters here at the US Open. So what's the secret behind this resurgence this year particularly while you're in your 30s?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: There's no secret. There's no secret. There's no shortcuts either, let me tell you that much, even if I've tried.

I don't know. I think consistency over the course of one's career. You know, the one thing is that I never quit, I never stopped working, I never stopped believing. Of course, I had my doubtful moments on so many levels, but once you win those little battles with yourself, it kind of propels you to do something better to be aware of the opportunities that come around.

That's why I always say you always have to be ready for whatever comes on your way. I mean, in a way it's not just tennis. I think it's everything. I never shied away of that, of the work that I had to put in. I always wanted to improve.

Then I never looked also in age any way. I just keep on playing. Also, like, I'm here, and the body is holding up, and the game I think is improving. I still feel like that. There's quite a bit more to squeeze out of myself in order to maybe not only play better, but win bigger events and keep the dream alive.

Q. In the last couple of years any conversations we've had with you you say a lot that enjoying tennis more, enjoying all the experience and you're very appreciative. It's easier said than done for so many people. I'm wondering for you is there anything that helps you shift your perspective to go from maybe seeing the pressures and things to being able to enjoy it?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Life experience (laughing). Yeah, life experience. I don't know.

It's also not easy. I still have my bad days, but now I just kind of let them in. Like, I don't force things as I use to force before. Maybe that's I think one of the part of, like, growing up I think on so many different levels. Not only for the sport, but I think for yourself.

There were some very difficult decisions I had to make for myself because I wanted to not only to be better on the court, but also off the court. I've always been very accountable of my own actions, but then I had to find a different way to handle certain things, like just put it that way.

There's no point for me to elaborate more on that, but it's just you live and learn. I think that's also the maturity that I have had on and off the court that really I think helped me.

Also, I have a great team, great family, very close people. Then they don't shy away to tell me the truth. So I think that helps as well. I just want to live my dream. That's all I'm doing right now. I think tennis overall, it's just a moment. We have a window.

I'm 15 years on tour, and it feels like it just went very quick. It goes quicker and quicker every single year because, let's face it, I'm more closer to the end than the beginning. So that makes you appreciate even more the times that you get to do that, and winning those matches at that point now and all the mental battles that you need to win first within yourself and then things are easier outside.

Q. We don't know for sure, of course, who you're playing next, but if you could take each one individually, maybe starting with Frances, somebody you've played a few times, but mostly long ago. How would you describe what Frances is like right now and what your expectations are for that match?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I mean, for me it's another match. Clearly he's been playing great tennis here. Build off I think a great confidence the past three weeks, playing well in Cincinnati, winning some great matches out here.

Of course, either one of them is a very dangerous player. That's just how it is. I actually lost to Popyrin three weeks ago. I had a couple of match points. He comes off from winning Montreal, beating Novak here.

I think both players are at a very high level right now, just however I look at it, but so am I. I'm just going to focus on my side of the net and look to increase my game.

I feel like I also can play better. So on that sense it's another tough match ahead.

Q. Grigor, obviously we have such an incredible sport, incredible game. Few people have the blessing, the opportunity of having a 15-year career. Can you take a minute and what would you say the two or three things in tennis that have changed over your career?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: In tennis?

Q. In the sport of tennis, yes.

GRIGOR DIMITROV: The players, for start. That's a good question. Never thought about that.

Hmm, I think tennis overall has changed. I think I will start probably with this because, I mean, the game that used to be played back then, it was just different. Maybe, like, let's say, a little bit more slower at times. Had a different diversity of players overall.

Yeah, I mean, I would say that's for me personally that's going to be the biggest difference. I mean, I think when you're in it, when you're still in it, it's very difficult to be objective to kind of see, have an overview on that end.

The only thing I can be extremely just mental with is the players. I've seen quite a few generations of players. Everything is such a fast-paced nowadays, and everyone, you know, is doing their thing. Bigger, stronger.

So, yeah, overall tennis has changed (laughing). I cannot pinpoint the other two. Maybe ask me this question in five, six years. Maybe I'll be able to answer better.