"Don't take this as a victory": Dimitrov retires after leading 2-0 against Sinner
Sinner rushed to his opponent's side, who fell to the ground with a pained expression on his face.
(Photo: dpa)
Jannik Sinner advances to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, but not in the way he would have hoped. His opponent Dimitrov is forced to leave the court injured.
Drama surrounding Grigor Dimitrov: The Bulgarian tennis pro has withdrawn from a Grand Slam tournament due to injury for the fifth time in a row – and he did so while leading 2-0 in sets against the ailing world number one Jannik Sinner. The world number 21 was well on his way to a major upset in the Wimbledon round of 16 when, with the score at 6-3, 7-5, 2-2, he suddenly grabbed his right pectoral muscle after a serve and fell to the ground with a pained expression on his face.
Icon Roger Federer also looked horrified in the Royal Box. Dimitrov allowed himself to be treated in his chair, shook his head, and disappeared into the catacombs for a medical timeout. The 34-year-old emerged a short time later in tears and surrendered. Sinner thus advanced to the quarterfinals of the grass-court classic for the fourth time in a row.
Sinner also injured himself"I don't know what to say. He's an incredible player, we all saw that today," Sinner said, adding: "He's had so much bad luck in recent years. I hope he recovers quickly." This is not "the ending we all wanted to see. It's very sad." He doesn't take this "as a victory," Sinner said.
Dimitrov had already retired from the last four major tournaments. Sinner, who suffered a minor right elbow injury in the first set and was on the verge of retirement, will now face American Ben Shelton, who defeated Lorenzo Sonego of Italy in four sets, in the round of eight.
In the first match against Dimitrov, Sinner slipped and hyperextended his elbow at 40-40. The Bulgarian subsequently dominated the match. In the second set, the Italian took a medical timeout and swallowed painkillers. He then profited from his opponent's retirement. Before his clash with Dimitrov, he had yet to drop a set in the tournament. Sinner's best result at Wimbledon is the 2023 semifinals.
Source: ntv.de, ino/sid
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