[TECH AND FINANCIAL]
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov reacts as he receives medical treatment after getting injured as he plays … More
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Grigor Dimitrov continued his unlucky run of injuries at majors.
The 34-year-old Bulgarian retired in a fifth straight Grand Slam while leading world No. 1 Jannik Sinner 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 in the third set of their fourth-round encounter at Wimbledon.
“You can’t make this up, it’s so sad,” John McEnroe said on ESPN.
No. 19 Dimitov appeared to hurt his right pectoral muscle hitting a volley and, after holding for 2-2 in the third, fell to the ground and said, “Oh my pec.”
He took a medical timeout during which he was attended to by medical staff and Sinner came over to support him. After Dimitrov left the court for a short period, he came back and retired. Sinner helped him load his rackets and gear into his back.
Dimitrov had already achieved the “Medical Slam,” retiring at each of the previous four majors with injury. He led Ethan Quinn two sets to one at Roland Garros before retiring in the first round.
Dimitrov had lost 12 straight matches to world No. 1s – and this might have been the biggest win of his career.
“It would be the most satisfying win of his life if he could pull this off,” McEnroe said during the match.
Sinner was on the ropes but now gets a pblock into the quarterfinals where he will face American Ben Shelton on Wednesday. No. 10 Shelton advanced in four sets over Lorenzo Sonego of Italy earlier Monday.
“He’s a lucky man right now,” McEnroe said of Sinner. “Could he have come back even if Grigor was healthy? Absolutely, but there was something special going on for the veteran.”
No. 6 Novak Djokovic, who could meet Sinner in the semifinals, also advanced with a four set win over No. 11 Alex de Minaur.
[NEWS]
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