Sinner Advances as Dimitrov Retires Injured at Wimbledon \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Jannik Sinner reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals after Grigor Dimitrov retired due to injury. Dimitrov led by two sets before suffering a pectoral issue in the third. Sinner had earlier injured his elbow but continued to play.
Quick Looks
- Sinner advanced after Dimitrov retired with pectoral injury.
- Dimitrov led 6-3, 7-5 before halting at 2-2 in the third.
- Sinner suffered a right elbow injury early in the match.
- Dimitrov’s injury woes continue — fifth straight Grand Slam exit.
- Sinner showed sportsmanship by checking on Dimitrov courtside.
- Next up: Sinner vs. Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals.
- Sinner holds a 5-1 record over Shelton, all straight-set wins.
- Andy Murray criticized closing of Wimbledon roof mid-match.
- Sinner had dropped just 17 games prior to this round.
Deep Look
The fourth round of Wimbledon 2024 delivered a night of unexpected drama, athletic tension, and emotional sportsmanship as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarterfinals under unfortunate circumstances. His opponent, Grigor Dimitrov, was forced to retire midway through the match due to a pectoral muscle injury — a moment that underscored the physical toll of elite tennis and added another chapter to Dimitrov’s frustrating series of Grand Slam withdrawals.
Entering the match, Sinner had been in commanding form, not dropping a single set across his first three rounds and losing just 17 games in total — a stat that tied the Open Era record for the fewest games lost through three matches at Wimbledon. He looked poised to continue his clinical march through the draw, but the match took a quick and jarring turn in the opening moments.
Just minutes into play, Sinner slipped on the baseline, landing hard on his right elbow while bracing himself with his racket hand. The fall immediately raised concerns in the stadium and among his team, including coaches Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, who watched tensely from the player’s box. The 23-year-old Italian received a medical timeout while trailing 3-2 in the second set, wincing as a trainer massaged his injured arm. He was handed medication and continued the match, visibly bothered by the injury, often shaking his arm and rubbing the elbow between points.
Despite the pain, Sinner managed to continue, though the effects of the injury were evident in his movement and shot selection. Dimitrov, ranked No. 19 and a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist, took full advantage early on. He claimed the first set 6-3 and the second 7-5, placing Sinner on the brink of a surprise exit and pushing the Italian into uncharted territory at this year’s tournament.
However, momentum would shift in the most unexpected way. At 2-all in the third set, during what appeared to be another routine service game, Dimitrov served and immediately clutched his left pectoral muscle in pain. He stumbled, crouched down in distress, and eventually sat on the grass. In a display of sportsmanship rarely seen in high-stakes tennis, Sinner crossed the court to check on his opponent. Dimitrov uttered, “My pec,” clearly in agony.
Medical staff rushed to assess Dimitrov on the sideline, while Sinner knelt nearby. After a few moments, Dimitrov left the court briefly, returning to inform officials and the crowd that he could not continue. The match ended abruptly, with Sinner progressing to the quarterfinals but with little sense of triumph.
“I don’t take this as a win,” Sinner said in his post-match interview. “This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us. He’s an incredible player and a good friend.”
For Dimitrov, the loss was especially bitter. The 34-year-old has now failed to complete a match in five straight Grand Slam events, including the 2024 Australian Open and French Open, as well as last year’s Wimbledon and U.S. Open. Once seen as one of the brightest stars in the sport, his career has increasingly been overshadowed by recurring injuries that interrupt his momentum on tennis’ biggest stages.
The match was not without controversy, either. Just after Sinner dropped the second set, officials paused the match to close the stadium roof due to diminishing light — a decision that did not sit well with everyone. Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray took to social media to express his frustration: “So ridiculous to close the roof at this stage of the match. At least an hour of light left,” he wrote, suggesting the call was premature and interfered with the natural flow of outdoor play.
Shortly after the roof closure, Dimitrov’s injury struck, ending the match just minutes later. It was a deflating finish to what had been building as a high-quality encounter between two accomplished players.
Looking ahead, Sinner’s next challenge will be American rising star Ben Shelton, the No. 10 seed. The two have met six times, with Sinner leading the head-to-head 5-1 and winning all five of those encounters in straight sets. Their most recent matches came at the 2023 Wimbledon and the 2024 Australian Open, both of which were dominated by Sinner. Despite this, Shelton has had a strong tournament and brings explosive athleticism and confidence to the quarterfinal.
As Sinner continues his quest for a second Wimbledon semifinal, the elbow injury remains a looming concern. He will need to manage both his physical condition and the mental toll of narrowly avoiding elimination under difficult circumstances.
For fans, the match served as a stark reminder of the human fragility behind the power and poise of professional tennis. Moments of brilliance and adversity intertwined, making it one of the most emotionally charged encounters of this year’s Championships. And while Sinner moves forward on the bracket, it was a night that will be remembered for its sudden turns, quiet heroics, and the deep respect between two top-tier athletes.
Sinner Advances as
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