Change is a constant in every sport, and tennis isn’t any different. Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov seems to be well aware of this. Dimitrov, after his latest match at the Shanghai Masters, talked about Federer and the rising star Carlos Alcaraz in a unique context. He answered as if he knew this question was coming.

Dimitrov was up against Australia’s Aleksander Vukic in the round of 64 at the Shanghai Masters, which he won quite easily. After his match, Dimitrov called to answer a very peculiar question about a certain transition in tennis. In his attempt to be candid, Grigor went quite deep with his answer.

Grigor in his rare situation with Federer and Carlos Alcaraz

Dimitrov turned pro back in 2008. Since then, he has witnessed some of the best years in tennis. When Grigor set his shop in tennis, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were ruling it. Cut to some years later, it’s Novak Djokovic in command. After being in two different eras, Dimitrov finally has the chance to observe the new-age players like Carlos Alcaraz. Grigor was open about his feelings regarding all this, and this is what he said:

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“Absolutely. I mean, that goes without saying. Yeah, absolutely. Lately, I’ve been having a lot of those conversations, actually with some of the generation just behind me, the guys around 25, 26, they have been asking a lot of different questions to have my opinion on things. It’s very interesting for me to see in a way three eras that I’ve played with, and even players from way before that towards the end of their career. So I’m very, I think, as you said, in a unique position, and very fortunate position to be able to compete with each one of ’em”

Grigor hinted as to how he has been filling the shoes of a mentor for the generation of players just after him. Dimitrov candidly said how intriguing it was when he thought of this on his own. He played in a total of three different eras and consistently. Also, he played with some old-timers who were on their road to retirement.

READ MORE: Tennis’ Flailing Future After Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Addressed With Solid Advice by American Tennis Legend Jimmy Connors

Grigor acknowledges how fortunate he is to have played with such talents. It’s truly an honor for a real athlete to compete against such players coming from different times. Each offers a unique shade to the game through their experience or youth.

Grigor about his far-fetched idea of retirement from tennis

Although it’s still very soon for Dimitrov to hang the racquet, he did mention that while answering. Being only 32 years old, the Bulgarian still has a lot to offer this game. However, thoughts of being away from the game have already entered his mind.

“I think one day further down the line I think, when I’m completely out of the game, I think it’s going to be very interesting for me to look back and I would love to see how everything is going to unfold. I don’t know, who knows. Maybe, I don’t know if I’m going to be in tennis after that anyway, but it’s very interesting for me.”

Grigor projects his thoughts about how he would cherish this moment once he is older and away from tennis for good. It is definitely a thing to think about, although it is still too soon for him to be thinking about retirement. However, it all depends on his situation.

Very few players reach to a spot like Grigor’s. While most fail to even acknowledge their fortune of being in that position, Grigor realizes the importance accurately. His statement made a lot of sense and was rooted in nothing but optimism.

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