“I’ve always loved these last tournaments of the year,” Grigor Dimitrov told ATP before making his long-awaited comeback at the Paris Masters. The spark in his eyes said it all. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion, boasting a stellar 24-12 record in Paris, returned to the stage where he once dazzled fans with his spirited 2023 run, falling only to Novak Djokovic in the finals. This time, his comeback carried a deeper meaning. After months of recovery from his brutal Wimbledon injury, Dimitrov marked his return in style, conquering Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and afterward, he made an emotional confession following his first victory since that painful chapter.

Making his debut at the glittering new home of the Rolex Paris Masters, La Défense Arena, 34-year-old Grigor Dimitrov stepped back into the spotlight with purpose and poise. Under the electric hum of the Parisian crowd, the Bulgarian maestro crafted a 7-6(5), 6-1 victory over home favorite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, a performance that blended grit, grace, and a touch of defiance. 

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole time away from the court. It was never easy,” Dimitrov reflected to ATP Media after the match. “I knew that coming to competition was going to be a difficult task. I just wanted to come out and test myself, give myself a chance. It’s a good night. I’m taking it in.”

The opening set was a battle of nerves, with both players trading blows and surviving tense moments on serve. Mpetshi Perricard tried to rattle the veteran’s rhythm by charging forward, hoping to pressure Dimitrov into errors. But the 22-year-old’s plan never truly took flight. In the tiebreak, the former world No. 3 struck first blood, producing a looping crosscourt forehand pass that forced a volley error and gave him the edge. 

Though two surprising forehand mistakes let the Frenchman momentarily back in at 4-5, Dimitrov’s poise returned when it mattered most. Another mistimed approach by Mpetshi Perricard opened the door, and the Bulgarian coolly sealed the set.

From that point on, Dimitrov read his opponent like a book. His experience, variety, and touch dismantled the towering Frenchman’s game. He sprinted through four straight games, securing a double break with a wickedly low backhand slice that froze Mpetshi Perricard in no man’s land. 

The finishing touch came when the Frenchman’s forehand drifted long, handing Dimitrov his long-awaited return victory. By night’s end, he tallied 26 winners to just 21 unforced errors while holding his opponent to a modest seven-for-23 success rate at the net.

“I didn’t know what to expect. All I knew is that I had to look at my side of the net and really control what I could,” Dimitrov shared. “It’s such an amazing crowd and towards the end of the year, you really feel that energy… I feel very appreciated all around. That gives me great gratitude just to be back.” Those words carried the weight of a man who had been to the edge and returned stronger, both physically and emotionally.

Just months ago, at Wimbledon, Dimitrov’s future looked uncertain. His body had betrayed him in heartbreaking fashion while leading then-World No. 1 Jannik Sinner by two sets to love in the fourth round. It was supposed to be a statement match, a chance to remind the tennis world of his artistry on grass. Instead, it ended in despair, his fifth consecutive Grand Slam retirement leaving fans wondering if he’d even return this season.

Fourteen weeks later, the answer arrived under Paris’s lights. The Bulgarian’s comeback wasn’t just about winning a match; it was about reclaiming belief. Now 18-11 on the season, Dimitrov stands once again among the sport’s fighters, awaiting the winner between former champion Daniil Medvedev and Basel semifinalist Jaume Munar in the next round. 

As he marches into the round of 32, Dimitrov carries more than just a racquet and a record; he carries resilience, perspective, and a rekindled hunger for the game. For a man who has seen both brilliance and heartbreak, this was more than a victory; it was redemption written in rhythm and light.

Grigor Dimitrov continues to treat his body with care

If nothing else, Grigor Dimitrov exuded calm and composure ahead of his first-ever clash with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. There was no rush, no overthinking, just quiet confidence. “Overall, I’m not trying to overthink anything right now, just trying to be as kind as possible to me, to my body, and to test myself to really see what else I need to be working on, especially coming into the next season,” he said. 

When he finally stepped back under the lights, emotion welled up in his eyes. The sight of his tears said more than any press conference ever could. Paris was not just another stop on tour; it was a return to purpose, a reaffirmation of everything that drives him.

In the build-up, Dimitrov prepared with quiet intensity. On Friday night, he hit the practice court with close friend Andrey Rublev, their laughter and rallies echoing through La Défense Arena. Barely 12 hours later, he was back again, training with Francisco Cerúndolo, sharpening his rhythm and instincts before stepping into battle once more.

But Paris holds more than just singles ambition for the Bulgarian. This week, he’s taking to the doubles court alongside five-time major champion Nicolas Mahut, who is playing the final tournament of his storied career. For both men, it’s a poignant intersection, one returning, the other bidding farewell.

“We always wanted to do a few double sessions together throughout the last years, but I was honestly never really able to commit,” Dimitrov said. “It was the right time. It was the last tournament for him and it made sense. I have a very sentimental relationship with him. For so many years, we played against each other. We competed more than once on such a big occasion. So it’s safe to say that it’s a good ending for him.”

As he now eyes his next challenge in the round of 32, one truth stands tall: Grigor Dimitrov is back where he belongs: smiling, competing, and penning yet another stirring chapter in his ever-evolving story.