Ghost banished: Grigor Dimitrov rewrites Wimbledon script to beat Berrettini

Twelve months after a devastating pectoral tear forced him out of Wimbledon in floods of tears, Grigor Dimitrov has completed one of the most impressive redemption arcs in recent memory at the All England Club. The 35-year-old Bulgarian advances to the fourth round of the 2026 Championship after overcoming former finalist Matteo Berrettini to win 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 in a pulsating five-set epic on Center Court.

The victory means a deep emotional turning point for Dimitrov. Last year, he suffered an unbearable physical breakdown while leading eventual winner Jannik Sinner by two sets in the round of 16. That injury prompted a two-hour spell of crying in the locker room before a hospital visit, followed by an extended spell on the sidelines that saw his world ranking drop to No. 146. Returning to the scene of that heartbreak, Dimitrov showed that the passage of time and the scars of the past decade have done nothing to his competition.

“I think after last year, the way I left, I never would have known what would happen, but guess what? I’m here this year and I’m able to rewrite everything,” said an emotional Dimitrov during an on-court interview.

The match itself was a classic exhibition of grass tennis lasting three hours and 32 minutes. Dimitrov got off to a great start, neutralizing Berrettini’s formidable forehand and breaking to secure the opening set. When he clinched the second set with an elegant break in the ninth game, straight sets progress seemed likely. However, the Italian found his rhythm, hammering down more than twenty aces and serving low slices to take the third and fourth sets after the roof of Center Court was sealed.

Despite Berrettini picking up the pace, Dimitrov refused to buckle. In the deciding set, he produced a magical backhand winner down the line to make it 3-1 and held his nerve to serve out the match on his second match point.

Reflecting on his inner battle, Dimitrov offered a remarkably raw perspective to the London crowd. “I’m just trying to be completely honest and vulnerable here in front of you. I’m just trying. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s just about overcoming every obstacle in front of me, staying more in the moment and enjoying moments like this.”

“I did it over a thousand times today throughout the game. It’s not very often that you get to come here and play here and I really don’t know how many more times I’ll get to get the most out of it.”

With no former Wimbledon finalist left in the middle of the draw, Dimitrov has a unique opportunity to chase his first Grand Slam quarter-final since the 2024 US Open. Next up in the last 16 is an intriguing clash with British wild card Arthur Fery. For a veteran whose career has so often been derailed by physical obstacles, just being healthy and competitive on grass is a victory in itself.

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

05 Jul 2026 14:14 IST