Dimitrov, the Mirror of Ivanov: "Having an example like him in Bulgaria is incredible"

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Ivan Ivanov is a name we are going to start hearing frequently on the men's circuit. The 16-year-old has become the tenth player in junior tennis history to win Wimbledon and US Open in the same year, a feat also achieved by his compatriot and idol: Grigor Dimitrov.

The 34-year-old player is a role model for all players in his country, especially considering that Bulgaria has never had much history in the tennis world. Now, as Dimitrov's career enters its final stretch, plagued by injuries, the emergence of Ivanov has become the great hope of Bulgarian tennis. In fact, a few days after his victory in New York, he will have the honor of playing under his country's flag in the Davis Cup tie next weekend. However, patience will be needed with the young man, considering that out of the ten players who achieved the junior Wimbledon and US Open double, only Dimitrov (2008), Stefan Edberg (1983), Pat Cash (1982), and Billy Martin (1973, 1974) had successful careers on the ATP circuit.

He trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy

There is no doubt that Ivan Ivanov has the potential to go far in the world of tennis. In fact, he trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy, and the player himself explained how it happened: "It was before Les Petits As when the academy invited me for a trial period. I just tried it out there. I really enjoy playing there. I liked it a lot, so I stayed. Then we signed the contract and reached an agreement, so I have been there for about four years now."

But that moment, according to him, was one of the toughest in his early career: "It is probably one of the most difficult things, being far from your mother, your father, and being so young and at such an early stage of your life. It is very difficult to face. I am very happy and grateful that they can come to see me frequently, so I see them maybe two or three weeks a month, every month and every year. I am very happy about that. I do not go home to Bulgaria, which I do not like much, but when I have time, I always love to go back home and enjoy it there."

He played the final with his compatriot Alexander Vasilev on Bulgaria's unification day

As it already happens with Dimitrov, when Ivanov plays on a big stage, the court fills with Bulgarian flags, even more so when you play the final of the US Open junior on Bulgaria's unification day (September 6) and your opponent is your compatriot Alexander Vasilev: "I played very well, and our wishes came true. We faced Alexander in the final. A completely Bulgarian final and a completely Bulgarian crowd. I knew people were going to come, and they made a lot of noise. I am very happy that so many people were watching the match, so I am very happy about that. Now that we have played on such an important day for our country, I am very happy that this success has come."

Dimitrov, the best role model to look up to

After winning Wimbledon and the US Open junior, comparisons with Dimitrov are inevitable, but Ivanov prefers to focus on what Grigor means for Bulgaria: "Having an example like him in Bulgaria and having someone to admire is incredible. I mean, many countries with a similar population to ours do not have someone like him. We are lucky to have him. I am very happy that, even though we have not spoken, nor played together, nor trained together, he brings me many positive things, many things that I can learn from him and positive examples."

Now, he will have little time to celebrate because he will need to focus on his debut with Bulgaria in the Davis Cup, something he is eager to do: "I am very excited. I am looking forward to it. I think I will leave on Friday or Thursday, so I am very eager to play and compete for Bulgaria. If we win, we can advance to the world group, so I am very excited," says Ivan Ivanov, who, for now, lives up to the expectations placed on him, while Bulgarian fans long for a tennis player beyond Grigor Dimitrov.
 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Dimitrov, el espejo de Ivanov: "Tener un ejemplo como él en Bulgaria es algo increíble"