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In a round of 16 match for a place in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon Grand Slam Championship 2025, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner showed an example of excellent sportsmanship when he helped his competitor Grigor Dimitrov who was in a moment of pain. In a heartbreaking event, Dimitrov was forced to retire from the match despite leading 6-3, 7-5 and 2-2, after he suffered a pectoral injury in the third set, tweaking a joint muscle in his chest. This incident handed Sinner a place in the quarter-final, where he is scheduled to face Ben Shelton of the USA.
But in the match, Sinner’s own fitness did not go unnoticed. During the first game of the fourth-round match, Sinner looked poised for an unexpected defeat after he jarred his elbow during a seemingly harmless slide to the ground. The Italian took a medical timeout midway through the second set due to the apparent elbow discomfort. “It was an unfortunate fall. I reviewed the videos, and it didn’t appear severe, but I felt it significantly, especially when serving and playing forehand. We’ll check it tomorrow with an MRI to see if there’s anything serious, and then we’ll adjust accordingly,” Sinner explained in his post-match press conference.
Sinner will work with ATP physios on his elbow issue ahead of quarterfinal clash
Having recently parted ways with his personal physiotherapist and trainer, Sinner is now working with ATP Tour physios to assess his current situation with his elbow. Sinner is scheduled to face World No.10 Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals. Notably, this will be their seventh meeting, with Sinner leading head-to-head by 5-1 margin, including a straight sets win at this year’s Australian Open. He has won the last 12 sets against the American. Shelton is in commendable form, he advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 3-6, 6-1, 7-6, and 7-5.
I think he’s showing his potential: The World No. 1 heaps praises for Dimitrov
Despite the unfortunate end to the game, Sinner had high praise for Dimitrov’s performance during the match. “He served incredibly well. Very precise, also very fast. Changed up the game very, very well, it was a bit breezy, and he used the wind in the best possible way. He prepared the match very well, and executed even better. He was playing some great tennis. I think he’s showing his potential,” said Sinner. He had just held serve for 2-2, but it was evident early in the game that he was in discomfort, and by the end, he was nearly in tears from the pain.
“I don’t take this as a win at all, it’s just a very unfortunate moment to witness,” Sinner said in the post-match statement. He further added, “We saw with his reaction how much he cared about the sport. I hope he has a speedy recovery.” This incident marked the fifth consecutive Grand Slam where Dimitrov has withdrawn mid-match.
