It lastly occurred! Grigor Dimitrov is the 2024 Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, receiving an honor from fellow gamers. Thus, the Bulgarian added one other accolade to his distinguished profession in the identical season he returned to the year-end top-10 after seven years.
This prestigious honor is awarded yearly to the participant who exemplifies honest play, professionalism, and respect on and off the courtroom. Extra importantly, it carries particular weight for the winner, as he’s acknowledged by his colleagues and rivals.
Dimitrov’s identify on the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award winners checklist isn’t any shock to these accustomed to his demeanor and conduct. Grigor is without doubt one of the kindest and most gracious gamers on the ATP Tour.
Grigor Dimitrov, Brisbane 2024© Stream screenshot
He persistently units a excessive commonplace of conduct, whether or not participating along with his fellow gamers, interacting with ball children or cooperating with match organizers. Off the courtroom, Dimitrov is simply as notable for his generosity and humility.
Followers usually reward his approachability and willingness to interact with supporters. Then again, fellow gamers admire his sportsmanship, whatever the stakes or outcomes.
The Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award has lengthy acknowledged those that elevate tennis past competitors, celebrating values that encourage youthful generations. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal dominated the checklist between 2004 and 2021, sharing 18 awards!
Casper Ruud earned the respect in 2022, and Carlos Alcaraz added his identify to the checklist a 12 months in the past. By profitable this award, Dimitrov cements his legacy as a formidable competitor and true ambassador for the game.
Everybody you discuss to right here within the organisation talks warmly about Grigor Dimitrov and that he wins in superior fashion with regards to being good and pleasant in the direction of match employees, ballkids and many others.
Needed to ask the query about how essential it’s for him. pic.twitter.com/Jz9wlrHs5Q
— Alex Theodoridis (@AlexTheodorid1s) October 19, 2024 Grigor’s 2024 season
Alongside his standard well-behaved manners on the courtroom, Dimitrov elevated his tennis and completed a notable season at 33. Working onerous on the enhancements, Grigor wrapped up the 12 months within the top-10, attaining that for the primary time since 2017!
The Bulgarian embraced a 46-18 rating in 2024. He kicked off the season with the Brisbane title and collected a few notable outcomes for a spot within the elite firm. Grigor’s 2024 run manifests his resilience as a result of he’s the second-oldest year-end top-40 participant behind Novak Djokovic!
Grigor Dimitrov, Brisbane 2024© Stream screenshot
Dimitrov began the season in Brisbane and lifted his ninth ATP title, the primary because the 2017 ATP Finals! The Bulgarian confronted Holger Rune within the closing and prevailed 7-6, 6-4 en path to a trophy. Grigor skilled a troublesome Australian Open loss to Nuno Borges, hitting the exit door after the third spherical.
He bounced again in Marseille and scored a few tight victories en path to the ultimate. Ugo Humbert defeated him in straight units, denying the veteran’s second title of the season. Dimitrov fell to Alex de Minaur within the Rotterdam semi-final.
Dimitrov after beating Holger Rune to win ninth ATP title
Grigor: “My parents aren’t here. They had to rush to the airport. A shame that they’re not here..”
*Crowd goes aww*
Grigor: “It’s ok. I’ll have to send them a picture.” 🥹❤️
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 7, 2024
Grigor misplaced to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells earlier than elevating his stage on the Miami Masters. The Bulgarian took down Hubert Hurkacz, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev for his second closing on the earlier three Masters 1000 occasions!
He organized the title conflict towards the ATP Race chief, Jannik Sinner. Dimitrov suffered a 6-3, 6-1 loss, standing powerless towards the Australian Open winner and ending runner-up. Grigor and Holger Rune battled for 3 and a half hours in Monte Carlo.
Novak Djokovic & Grigor Dimitrov, Sofia 2024© Stream screenshot
The younger gun prevailed after a large battle. The Bulgarian fell to Jakub Mensik and Taylor Fritz in Madrid and Rome earlier than embracing a robust run at Roland Garros. Dimitrov reached the quarter-final and skilled one other defeat to Jannik Sinner after an honest resistance.
Grigor misplaced at Queen’s to Sebastian Korda after a thriller and retired versus Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon as a result of an damage. Dimitrov skipped the Olympic Video games and returned through the North American onerous swing. He earned one win in Montreal and Cincinnati.
Novak Djokovic & Grigor Dimitrov, Sofia 2024© Stream screenshot
The US Open offered a greater run, and the veteran reached his second Main quarter-final of the season! Grigor used a positive draw en path to the final eight however couldn’t battle for a spot within the semi-final.
He retired towards Frances Tiafoe after shedding steam, failing to get better from the earlier duel that went to the gap. Dimitrov earned one win for Workforce Europe within the Laver Cup and reached the fourth spherical on the Shanghai Masters.
The Bulgarian performed his third closing of the season in Stockholm, falling to Tommy Paul in straight units. Grigor suffered an early defeat in Vienna, which plagued his ATP Finals probabilities. He wrapped up the 12 months with the quarter-final on the Paris Masters, lacking a chance to compete in Turin.
