Dimitrov’s Pec Injury: Wimbledon Retirement, US Open Hopes

Grigor Dimitrov showcased immense command on Monday, presenting a significant opportunity for a major upset at Wimbledon.

However, a chest muscle ailment abruptly concluded his match, compelling him to withdraw despite possessing a two-set advantage over top-seeded Jannik Sinner.

Sinner progresses to the quarterfinals, narrowly avoiding what seemed to be a looming stunning defeat in the Round of 16. Dimitrov was ahead 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 when the injury occurred.

Dimitrov, the 19th seed, has now retired from a Grand Slam match for the fifth consecutive occasion. His previous retirements include Wimbledon and the US Open in 2024, as well as the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year.

When will Dimitrov return?

According to a report from Tennis Kafe in Bulgaria on Tuesday, Dimitrov’s representative, Georgi Stoimenov, announced that he had sustained a partial tear of his pectoralis major muscle. The report indicates that this injury will keep Dimitrov off the court for a minimum of three tournaments, though he could potentially return in time for the US Open, which commences in late August.

Dimitrov sustained the injury while serving. He immediately recoiled in discomfort and grasped his right pectoral muscle with his left hand. As medical personnel hurried to the court to assist him, Dimitrov chuckled, seemingly aware of the seriousness of his condition.

Dimitrov then proceeded to the sideline to continue receiving medical attention before briefly leaving the court for a medical timeout. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the court to shake hands with Sinner, having determined that he was unable to continue the match.

Sinner extended his arm around Dimitrov’s back as they approached the chair umpire to shake hands. The appreciative crowd at Centre Court offered Dimitrov a hearty round of applause as he gathered his belongings.

This outcome prevented Dimitrov from achieving his deepest run at Wimbledon since reaching the semifinals in 2014. Sinner advances, remaining in contention for a fourth Grand Slam victory since the 2024 Australian Open. Sinner emerged victorious at the Australian Open in both 2024 and 2025, and also claimed the US Open title last fall.

Dimitrov was dominant before injury

Sinner encountered his first substantial challenge at Wimbledon in the form of Dimitrov, following an impressive performance throughout the initial three rounds. Riding the momentum of a recent appearance in the French Open final, Sinner had swiftly progressed through the first three rounds with commanding victories, posting scores of (6-4, 6-3, 6-0), (6-1, 6-1, 6-3), and (6-3, 6-1, 6-1).

However, Dimitrov immediately tested Sinner by breaking his serve in the opening game of the match. Dimitrov maintained his serve throughout the first set, ultimately securing a 6-3 victory. He then promptly seized control of the second set by once again breaking Sinner’s serve in the opening game.

Sinner fought back, securing his first break of the match to temporarily avert a 2-0 deficit and level the set at 5-5. However, Dimitrov responded by breaking Sinner’s subsequent serve and then holding his own serve to clinch the 7-5 victory and establish a 2-0 set lead in the match.

Sinner’s own injury scare

Adding to Sinner’s difficulties was a medical break during the second set. Sinner had an awkward fall on his right arm and underwent treatment on his elbow during the break before resuming play.

Sinner managed to continue playing and even broke Dimitrov’s serve following the medical timeout. He informed reporters after the match that he would undergo an MRI on his elbow on Tuesday to ascertain the nature of any injury. Sinner is slated to compete in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Sinner and Dimitrov both held serve in the third set, reaching a 2-2 tie before Dimitrov sustained the injury that forced his withdrawal from the tournament. His retirement marked the latest setback due to injury in a career marked by numerous such instances.

More Grand Slam injury heartbreak for Dimitrov

Dimitrov’s most recent retirement occurred in the first round of the French Open due to a thigh injury, despite holding a 6-2, 6-3, 2-6 lead over American Ethan Quinn. He also retired from Wimbledon in the fourth round in 2024 with an abductor tear, trailing Daniil Medvedev, 5-3, in the first set at the time of the injury.

In the intervening period, Dimitrov was also compelled to retire from the 2024 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open.

Following the conclusion of the match, Sinner addressed the Centre Court audience, acknowledging Dimitrov’s unfortunate injury situation.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Sinner remarked. “He’s an exceptional player, as we all witnessed today. He’s faced considerable misfortune in recent years.

“He’s an incredible player, and also a good friend of mine. … To see him in this predicament is truly disheartening. If there were a possibility for him to compete in the next round, he would certainly deserve it. Above all, I sincerely hope for his swift recovery.

“It’s incredibly unfortunate from his perspective. I don’t perceive this as a victory at all. It’s simply a very unfortunate situation for all of us to witness.”

Sinner now advances to face No. 10 seed Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, pursuing his first Wimbledon championship. Shelton secured a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1), 7-5 victory over unseeded Lorenzo Sonego earlier on Monday.

For Dimitrov, the retirement represents yet another in a Grand Slam career punctuated by such occurrences, as he continues his pursuit of a first Grand Slam final appearance.