
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 1, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria hits a shot against Alexei Popyrin of Australia in a second round match on day three of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Sep 1, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria hits a shot against Alexei Popyrin of Australia in a second round match on day three of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Grigor Dimitrov produced a battling three-set victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach his first Masters 1000 final since 2017 at the Paris Masters on Saturday. After sealing a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over the third seed in two hours and thirty minutes, an emotional Dimitrov struggled to put his feelings into words in his on-court interview.
Grigor Dimitrov’s run to the final marks his deepest run in a Masters tournament since winning the title in Cincinnati back in 2017. Since then, injuries and a loss of form saw the 32-year-old slump to 78th in the rankings last year. However, he has worked his way back into the top 30 on the back of a resurgent season which includes his first ATP title in over three years in Stockholm last month.
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Grigor Dimitrov emotional after ending six-year wait for Masters final
The Bulgarian revealed in his press conference that he did not cry following the match but was overcome with emotion. “No tears but I got very emotional. I’m just living in the moment right now. It’s been a very funny road as of late. Each win means more & more to me. But as I said yesterday & in the previous days, win or lose, it’s not what I’m after.”, said Dimitrov.
Grigor Dimitrov says he got emotional on court after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach his 2nd Masters Final:
“No tears but I got very emotional. I’m just living in the moment right now. It’s been a very funny road as of late. Each win means more & more to me. But as I said… pic.twitter.com/NBgwmNm8nA
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 4, 2023
“I can’t express anything right now. I’m just happy,” said a teary-eyed Dimitrov. “Happy I was able to get through that match in such a manner.. it was getting very tricky. 15-40 down in the third set again. In order for me to beat a great player like him, all I had to do was step through. It was the only thing I could’ve done… in the end I kept on believing.”
Grigor Dimitrov after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach first Masters final since 2017:
“I can’t express anything right now. I’m just happy. Happy I was able to get through that match in such a manner.. it was getting very tricky. 15-40 down in the 3rd again. In order for me… pic.twitter.com/1cMp9ZOtD0
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 4, 2023
Grigor Dimitrov’s adherence to his most basic skills helped him to win. Struggling for so many years and yet being focused on the target that Dimitrov can now finally achieve is in itself a huge feat. However, what’s next for him?
Read More: ATP Paris Masters: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Grigor Dimitrov; Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction
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A golden opportunity for masters glory
Grigor Dimitrov’s emotional response at the end of the Tsitsipas match underscores just how much reaching the final in Paris means to him. After battling through three tight sets against an in-form opponent, the relief of securing his place in Sunday’s championship match was clear. As he reflected in his press conference, each victory has given him a growing belief that he can compete at an elite level again.

via Imago
Tennis – ATP 500 – Abierto Mexicano – The Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Acapulco, Mexico – February 21, 2022 Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in action during his match against Stefan Kozlov of the U.S. REUTERS/Henry Romero
The final in Paris presents Dimitrov with a golden chance to clinch a second Masters 1000 title against either Novak Djokovic or Holger Rune. Whoever emerges from the second semi-final, Dimitrov will need to draw on all his experience if he is to end his six-year wait for Masters glory. However, if he maintains the fighting spirit shown against Tsitsipas, he will once again prove that to this day, he remains a danger to even the best players in the world.
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In conclusion, Grigor Dimitrov’s emotional response after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas demonstrated just how significant reaching the Paris Masters final was for him. After a trying period dealing with injuries and loss of form, the Bulgarian is enjoying a career renaissance and will hope to complete the fairytale by lifting his second Masters 1000 trophy this weekend.
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