Grigor Dimitrov’s run at Wimbledon this year marks one of the feel-good stories of the event thus far, given what happened to him last year.
There, as he led the eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the fourth round, a freak injury stopped the match dead. Jannik Sinner gained passage into the quarter-finals, and the 35-year-old was forced not just to forfeit the match, but the rest of the season.
His return to action has been steady and unspectacular, but when Dimitrov was given a Wimbledon wildcard, many hoped that it might provide the spark needed, particularly back on the grass, for him to recapture his form.
Having now made it back to the fourth round, it’s fair to say he’s more than accomplished that.
However, his fears after last year are still justifiably high. That therefore more than explains why he has been so argumentative with the officials during his last two matches.
What does Grigor Dimitrov keep complaining to Wimbledon about?
Having played his opening-round match on Court 18, his following two clashes, against Jakub Mensik and Matteo Berrettini, have been scheduled late on Court One and Centre Court respectively.
Because of this, the roofs were always expected to be utilised due to declining light, barring an unexpectedly speedy conclusion.
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However, Grigor Dimitrov has taken issue with the timing of this move, likely scarred by last year’s devastation, which could be attributed to the time it took to close the roof.
It happened after the third set against both Mensik and Berrettini, and he voiced his displeasure last night.
He told a tournament official: “I’m struggling to really understand… I don’t understand why can’t we start closing it during the game. Why isn’t it up to the players?”
Then, in his post-match speech, Dimitrov actually referenced this again.
He laughed as he stated: “You know, me and that roof have a history all of a sudden.”
However, given what happened around this time last year, he is right to be wary, and his jokes mask a very real problem for Wimbledon.
Grigor Dimitrov is right to argue about the roof closing at Wimbledon
Dimitrov has been to Grand Slam semi-finals before, but last year, in the Wimbledon fourth round, it felt like this was the biggest match of his career.
After all, he was on the cusp of defeating the world number one Jannik Sinner on Centre Court, as he led by two sets to love.
However, as night fell on SW19, the umpire made the decision to close the roof, and thus play was halted for 15 minutes.
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When they came back out, after another brief warm-up, play resumed. Dimitrov tore his pectoral muscle just a few minutes later, and Sinner was gifted the ultimate stroke of luck.
The fact that he went on to win the entire tournament stings even more; the Bulgarian had the would-be champion by the throat, and who knows what he might have gone on to accomplish had he seen out his deserved victory?
His complaints are wholly valid, and he of all people knows just how damaging it can be to stop such an intense and hugely physical match so suddenly when the option to gradually close the roof during play is an option.
