Dimitrov and the one-handed backhand: "In the next few years, we will see it less and less"

He hasn't had much luck in his recent Grand Slams, but Grigor Dimitrov shows at Wimbledon 2025 that he doesn't give up. The Bulgarian player, ranked 21st in the world, has only dropped one set on his way to the last 16 of the British Grand Slam.

Unlike his recent experiences in major tournaments where he had to withdraw, Grigor revealed in a press conference that he is feeling quite well. He also analyzed if this factor is present in his mind when approaching matches and discussed the evolution of teams in the tennis world.

How's your physical condition?

"I don't want to put a number on it because things change every day. I don't want to say I'm at a certain level. Right now, I feel very good. I have no pain. I did a lot of work before the tournament started. Overall, every day has been positive. I feel like I'm building on that, which makes me, I think, not only happy but also excited for what lies ahead."

Do you think about it when you step on the court?

"Of course. That's why you have everyone around you, your whole team, to keep you somewhat honest about what's going on with your body. The number of scans and MRIs and X-rays, everything I've done over this time, confirms where you are, but you're always the one who gets to that point of thinking or not thinking. It's a very fine line.

Some days it's inevitable just because you wake up and feel something, but it's also a point in my career where I have to accept the fact that there will be something every day. So I live with it, and I'm okay with it. As long as I've gone to work, to the match, to the tennis tournament, or whatever it might be, and given 100% of myself, then I've fulfilled my duty."

Changes in your preparation

"Everyone is playing great tennis. More or less, everyone is at the same level. Sometimes the match is decided by a few points here and there. My preparation is different from that of the new players. The way I do it now is more about preparing physically and mentally because I believe, to a certain extent, I never... even in the past, I never cared so much about my overall tennis. Even if I didn't play for a while, I still felt like I would be fine with the game, but now it's more about how I'm going to position myself to deploy the game."

The one-handed backhand

"Like life, it has its ups and downs; it's the same. The one-handed backhand is the same over and over. Once you hit it, it feels like hitting the jackpot. Over the next few years, we'll see it less and less, that's how things go. Tennis has gotten much faster. Everyone is hitting harder, stronger, from both sides. There isn't enough time. I always say you can still take advantage of it.

Everyone keeps saying it's a lost art, but it's not really lost because if you manage to navigate that side for a forehand shot, you can win it. It's harder, of course. Do you have to work a lot more with your body? Yes, but on the other hand, it has its advantages. I think it depends on the player to understand their side, especially in the one-handed backhand."

The team: coach or physical trainer?

"It depends on where you are in your career, even if you're about to start. You have to be realistic about what you need most. You always have to have both. Sometimes it's much more important to be alone with a physical trainer than with a tennis coach. I remember a few years ago, I traveled without a coach for over a year and got very good results. I've seen both sides of the coin.

In reality, I didn't have anyone with me, now that I think about it. I only had my physiotherapist, and that was all I had. It was a different time, a different place, so I don't think I'm the best example for that. It's very important that the player knows their strengths and weaknesses at the stage of their career. This is probably more important than anything else. Everything else is structured around that because you can't just rely on what I tell you or anyone else. You have to carve your own path. What worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you. That's why I always say you have to look out for your side of the net."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Dimitrov y el revés a una mano: "En los próximos años lo veremos cada vez menos"