Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov have been among the many finest buddies on Tour. Three months in the past, the Serb and the Bulgarian loved an exhibition in Sofia, displaying their expertise and entertaining the group within the Bulgarian capital.
Novak and Grigor are additionally the record-holders on the finish of 2024, standing because the year-end oldest top-40 gamers. Two top-10 stars lead the sphere of ten gamers older than 32 within the year-end top-100 checklist. Nonetheless, they’re the one ones who settled within the top-40 on the finish of the season.
Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
Djokovic claimed the Olympic Video games gold medal in Paris. Thus, the legend fulfilled his dream, including the fifteenth notable trophy to his unbelievable assortment. Then again, Dimitrov secured his first year-end top-10 look since 2017.
He conquered Brisbane firstly of the season and performed nicely at notable occasions to cease the clock and obtain the year-end top-10 honor at 33.
Novak Djokovic et Grigor Dimitrov en roue libre lors de leur match d’exhibition à Sofia. 😭🫣pic.twitter.com/P7eTp2kuTl
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) September 17, 2024 Novak’s 2024 season
Djokovic accomplished his seventeenth year-end top-10 season at 37. The legend misplaced the Australian Open crown to Jannik Sinner after dropping to the Italian within the semi-final. Novak skilled an early defeat in Indian Wells and failed to succeed in the ultimate on the upcoming occasions.
The veteran entered the Roland Garros title protection with low expectations and suffered a knee damage. Djokovic prevailed over Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo earlier than withdrawing earlier than the quarter-final. Novak underwent surgical procedure on June 5.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot
The Serb recovered for Wimbledon and reached the title conflict on the All England Membership. Like a yr in the past, the Serb fell to Carlos Alcaraz, this time in straight units, settling with the runner-up spot. Djokovic drew optimistic vibes from his Wimbledon marketing campaign.
He produced his A-game on the Olympic Video games in Paris, defeating six rivals in straight units and writing historical past books. Novak battled for a gold medal towards Carlos and prevailed 7-6, 7-6, including the specified title to his assortment and slowing down his engines.
Djokovic suffered an early US Open defeat and performed just one official match by the top of the yr. Novak reached the Shanghai Masters closing, falling to Jannik Sinner in straight units however confirming one other year-end top-10 season.
Novak Djokovic, Geneva 2024© Stream screenshot
Grigor’s 2024 run
Dimitrov embraced his finest run since 2017 following a 46-18 rating. The Bulgarian made an ideal begin to the season in Brisbane, lifting a trophy over Holger Rune. Grigor performed within the ATP 250 Marseille closing, falling to Ugo Humbert in straight units.
The Bulgarian misplaced to Alex de Minaur in Rotterdam, whereas Daniil Medvedev defeated him in Indian Wells. The veteran raised his stage in Miami. He defeated Hubert Hurkacz, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev for his second closing on the earlier three Masters 1000 occasions.
Grigor Dimitrov, Brisbane 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik Sinner ousted Grigor 6-3, 6-1 after a dominant efficiency, and the Bulgarian turned his focus to clay. He and Holger Rune battled for 3 and a half hours in a Monte Carlo thriller, with the younger Dane prevailing within the closing phases of the decider.
Jakub Mensik and Taylor Fritz halted Dimitrov in Madrid and Rome. Grigor performed higher in Paris and reached the quarter-final. He confronted Jannik Sinner once more and fell after a strong resistance. Dimitrov began his beloved grass season with excessive hopes.
Grigor Dimitrov, Brisbane 2024© Stream screenshot
He misplaced at Queen’s to Sebastian Korda and retired towards Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon after struggling bodily. The Bulgarian took a break and withdrew from the Olympic Video games. He returned in North American and earned one win in Montreal and Cincinnati.
Grigor’s second Main quarter-final of the season got here on the US Open. Dimitrov took benefit of a good draw and entered the final eight. He endured a five-setter within the fourth spherical and confronted the house favourite Frances Tiafoe.
The veteran misplaced steam and retired regardless of giving all the things to combat till the top. Grigor represented Staff Europe on the Laver Cup. He earned two victories earlier than reaching the final 16 on the Shanghai Masters. Dimitrov reached his third ATP closing of the season in Stockholm.
Grigor Dimitrov & Jakub Mensik, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
He fell to Tommy Paul in straight units, ending runner-up however conserving his possibilities of reaching Turin alive. Nonetheless, that activity turned far more difficult following an early loss on the ATP 500 occasion in Vienna. Dimitrov wrapped up the season in Paris.
He reached the quarter-final and missed a possibility to combat for the ATP Finals berth. Grigor completed the season within the top-10 for the primary time in seven years, hoping for one more good run in 2025.
Dimitrov will be a part of Novak Djokovic in Brisbane within the first week of the brand new season, searching for the title protection.
