by Andy Schooler
It has been a long road to tennis’ top table for Grigor Dimitrov.
The Bulgarian came to the tennis world’s attention at a very young age and with a similar playing style to Roger Federer, was immediately tagged with the moniker ‘Baby Fed’.
Being compared to one of the all-time greats so early his career was undoubtedly a hindrance for a player who some found himself in the gossip columns for dating other famous tennis stars, namely Serena Williams and then Maria Sharapova.
His tennis certainly suffered and in the summer of 2016 Dimitrov found himself down at 40th in the ranking, his career having seemingly stalled.
However, he then hired Andy Murray’s former coach and long-time confidante Dani Vallverdu. Now 26, Dimitrov has subsequently enjoyed his best season to date this year, winning the Cincinnati Masters and rising to a career-high of number six.
It will culminate with a debut appearance at this week’s ATP Finals in London – Dimitrov faces Dominic Thiem on Monday – but he is already planning for 2018 and improving his game further.
“We have this week and as soon as the tournament is over we (him and Vallverdu) will sit down and reassess everything and see where we are at,” a relaxed Dimitrov explained.
“We had quite few goals that we wanted to achieve and 95 per cent of it is right there. That’s a good beginning for us.
“I personally don’t think we’ll change anything but I think they already spoke behind my back, my team.
“I’m also very excited for the off-season. We’re in mid-November and I’m already feeling pretty excited about next year which is a good sign.”
Dimitrov is one of several players of his generation – think also Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic – who has been continually denied by the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who have kept a strangehold on the game’s leading prizes for such a long time.
However, while admitting he found it frustrating – “a lot” – Dimitrov is now trying to use his experience as positive going forward.
“It’s a special era to play in,” he says. “Being out here with them and proving to yourself that you are one them is something that can actually help you grow.
“I think for the future it gives you great experience.
“You see now in the late 20s and early 30s, people are playing their best tennis. I think that gives you something to look forward to.
“With the right attitude, a good ethic of working, staying healthy , being as close to your team as possible and following your goals and your own mind, everything can only get better.
“One of my most important goals is to make that when I get out on the court I’m better than yesterday.”
Dimitrov has not always appeared to have such a positive mindset, at least publicly, but clearly appears to be buzzing ahead of his opening match.
“It’s a dream come true for me (to qualify),” he adds. “In the past I’ve missed it by one spot. It’s always been a goal of mine to come out there (the O2 Arena) and perform.
“I think I’ve definitely been more consistent (this year). That was the key for me.
“I had good discipline through the whole year and I won some tough matches. I reached a goal but I don’t feel like I changed anything major.”
Whether further gains will be made in 2018, when the other members of the so-called Big Four, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, are expected to return, only time will tell.