As Grigor Dimitrov battled to another significant victory on his return to Wimbledon, 12 months on from his devastating injury-enforced exit, he began to feel an ominous sense of deja vu.
Almost a year to the day that Dimitrov left Centre Court in tears after being denied the chance to complete a spectacular victory over world number one Jannik Sinner, the roof began to close on Court One.
Before a 10-minute break to close the Centre Court roof in 2025, the Bulgarian, once nicknamed 'baby Fed' because of the similarity of his game to the great Roger Federer, had been playing some of his best tennis in years.
As the wildcard closed in on a superb four-set victory over Czech 15th seed Jakub Mensik on Thursday, Dimitrov's mind naturally flashed back to the night which has defined his journey since.
"I looked up four or five times, hoping that I was going to finish the match before they decided to close the roof," Dimitrov said.
Almost a year to the day that Dimitrov left Centre Court in tears after being denied the chance to complete a spectacular victory over world number one Jannik Sinner, the roof began to close on Court One.
Before a 10-minute break to close the Centre Court roof in 2025, the Bulgarian, once nicknamed 'baby Fed' because of the similarity of his game to the great Roger Federer, had been playing some of his best tennis in years.
As the wildcard closed in on a superb four-set victory over Czech 15th seed Jakub Mensik on Thursday, Dimitrov's mind naturally flashed back to the night which has defined his journey since.
"I looked up four or five times, hoping that I was going to finish the match before they decided to close the roof," Dimitrov said.
4 months ago
