Dimitrov savors Paris return amid injury shadows
Grigor Dimitrov steps back into the competitive fray at the Paris Masters, his smile masking the cautious steps of a veteran testing a healing body while emotions swell for a sentimental doubles farewell.
In the vibrant hum of La Défense Arena, Grigor Dimitrov glides through practice with a grin that cuts through the late-season tension. The 34-year-old Bulgarian, sidelined for three months by a pectoral injury, absorbs the indoor hardcourt’s swift rhythm, his movements a blend of rediscovered ease and deliberate restraint. Relief pulses from him as he reconnects with the tour’s pulse, the crowd’s anticipation amplifying his quiet determination to reclaim his place.
Emotions mix in cautious comeback
Dimitrov’s return stirs a cocktail of sentiments, positive yet layered with the uncertainty of physical limits. He craves court time but tempers it with basics, building hours without risking setback as he eyes a full resurgence in 2026. The arena’s energy fuels his focus, turning practice into a bridge between isolation and the thrill of rivalry.
His words to ATPTour.com capture that inner push-pull.
There are a lot of good and mixed feelings in the most positive way, but it’s nice to be back with the boys and starting to challenge each other again. it’s been a good week for me so far, trying to get as many hours as possible on the court because this is what I’ve craved. At the same time, I’m also trying to keep things at the most basic stuff. Of course, my goal is coming back to full force next year, but it’s a great challenge for me right now just to see how the body will respond.
He’s BAAAACK !!!#ParisMasters | #Dimitrov pic.twitter.com/elSuGLjKpK
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 24, 2025
Wimbledon ghosts shape Paris resolve
Dimitrov‘s prior outing at Wimbledon haunts yet motivates, where he built a two-sets-to-love lead over then-World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the fourth round, firing inside-out forehands and crosscourt backhands with vintage flair before pain forced his fifth straight major retirement. Those tears on the grass underscored a career of close calls, but Paris’s indoor confines offer a kinder reentry, suiting his flat trajectories and quick adjustments. He draws on a 24-12 tournament record here, including his 2023 final charge, to steady his mindset amid the comeback’s stakes.
Practice sessions sharpen that edge: Friday night with good friend Andrey Rublev traded heavy groundstrokes under the lights, emphasizing one–two patterns to test shoulder stability, followed by a dawn workout with Francisco Cerundolo honing down-the-line passes against baseline pressure. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion thrives in these year-end spots, their reflective intensity aligning with his all-court adaptability. As rankings slip from the layoff, each point rebuilds not just form but confidence for majors ahead.
Doubles farewell adds emotional depth
Emotions crest in doubles alongside five-time major winner Nicolas Mahut, whose final tournament infuses their partnership with poignant weight after years of big-stage clashes. Dimitrov regrets past scheduling misses but embraces this timing, their net play—poaching with slices and targeting ad-court weaknesses—serving as low-stakes prep amid singles demands. He cherishes the sentiment, viewing it as a fitting close for the Frenchman while gauging his own endurance.
Dimitrov elaborates on that bond.
I’ve always loved these last tournaments of the year. Overall, I’m not trying to overthink anything right now, just trying to be as kind as possible to me, to my body, and to test myself to really see what else I need to be working on, especially coming into the next season. We always wanted to do a few double sessions together throughout the last years, but I was honestly never really able to commit. It was the right time. It was the last tournament for him and it made sense. I have a very sentimental relationship with him. For so many years, we played against each other. We competed more than once on such a big occasion. So it’s safe to say that it’s a good ending for him.
Singles opens against big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, whose booming deliveries test Dimitrov’s returns on the fast deck, demanding inside-in forehands off seconds and underspin to disrupt rhythm without overextending. The crowd’s roar will echo his joy, turning potential hurdles into momentum as he varies crosscourt exchanges to wear down the power. Whatever the result, this week etches progress, positioning the veteran for a stronger arc where body and spirit align once more.
