Grigor Dimitrov gave tennis enthusiasts a lot of good memories in the 2024 season at the age of 33. Dimitrov won the Stockholm Open and made the finals of the Miami Open this year. He also became a part of the 9-member club to make it to the quarterfinals of all Masters 1000 tournaments and Grand Slams.
In addition to his accomplishments, Dimitrov’s personality has long been admired by many. As a result, when he received the ATP Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship of the Year Award, he was swamped with compliments from the tennis community.
A special message from your 2024 Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award winner! @GrigorDimitrov | #ATPAwards pic.twitter.com/enFspzli9S
— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 13, 2024
Through his foundation in Bulgaria, Dimitrov is promoting tennis in the Balkans. Notably, he was able to convince Novak Djokovic to play against him for his charity a few months ago.
The World No.10 is also not afraid to speak his mind. Dimitrov recently revealed that he has suffered from mental health issues many times in his career, making it an important topic to discuss.
Dimitrov has something very important to say. Please, listen.
He has been dealing with anxiety, panick attacks and loneliness. It is important to him to open up as a man.
This is an important topic.
Interview done by @SpilXperten, who as the only written media present. pic.twitter.com/FM8v5YeOi4
— Nicholas Albek (@Nicholas_Albek) October 19, 2024
However, 2024 was not the only year in which Dimitrov showcased exceptional sportsmanship.
Dimitrov’s top moments of sportsmanship over the years
At the United Cup 2023, the Bulgarian forced the chair umpire to overturn a foot fault that his opponent, David Goffin, was accused of doing by the line judge. Dimitrov asked Goffin to serve again as he believed the decision was ‘b**s***’.
There’s good guys…and there’s @GrigorDimitrov #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/v3uXXV1BKR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 31, 2022
In 2021, TennisTV came up with a compilation of Dimitrov’s six sportsmanship moments which can never be forgotten. One was at the Miami Open 2014 when the crowd chanted ‘Grigor, Grigor!’ and applauded him for escorting an unwell ball girl to the sidelines and seeking medical help for her. He also provided her with a fresh towel meant for him.
In the Brisbane International 2018, Dimitrov famously ran over to the other side of the net immediately after his opponent, Kyle Edmund of Great Britain, injured himself badly during one of their rallies. The Bulgarian star, along with Edmund’s physio, helped him walk back to his bench.
Notably, this is Dimitrov’s first ATP Sportsmanship Award, which Roger Federer has won 13 times and Rafael Nadal has received on five occasions. Even though Dimitrov, who turned pro in 2008, has waited a long time to receive this award, no one can dispute that he deserves it.
