TENNIS – Grigor Dimitrov defeated Robin Haase 6-3, 6-2 and then took part in a press conference that was “Not boring at all”. Even Gulbis would have approved. Grigor got a friendly visit from Novak Djokovic during his press conference. From Indian Wells, Lucia Hoffman
“Not boring at all” press conference, that even Gulbis would have approved. Grigor got a friendly visit from Novak Djokovic during his press conference.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Let’s talk. My friend Grigor here, best looking guy on the tour. You don’t need to talk about tennis too much. You had so much success this year, let’s talk about your looks.
GRIGOR DIMITROV: What do you want to know? (Laughter.)
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I’ll let you be. Take care. I was just listening to your interview.
GRIGOR DIMITROV: You can listen from there.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Can I ask you a question? What is your favorite Sugarpova candy?
GRIGOR DIMITROV: Flirty Sour.
When asked what did he think about Novak as a person, Grigor replied:
GRIGOR DIMITROV: “You can see that. No, he’s a great first of all, he’s a great guy off the court. We have a great relationship. We can speak a little bit of the same language.”
“Obviously we had a lot of battles so far, and hopefully there are many more that we want to come. But, I mean, he’s just a tremendous competitor, we all know, and he has proven so much, I mean, slams and all that, there is not much else you can say about a great player like him.“
Grigor also had a taste of getting further into a Grand Slam event, getting into the quarter finals of the Australian Open 2014, losing to Rafael Nadal, and reflects on that.
“I wasn’t really surprised, because physically and mentally I thought I was ready, so winning every match and of course they were very tough matches; I’m not going to hide that but I was just feeling good, you know, feeling good and been working a lot the previous weeks.
“I love the conditions out there, and I just enjoy the tournament. In the same time, you know, I think I produced one of my best tennis so far.”
“Of course, you know, beating good players, and especially Andy in the semifinal, was a big win for me. But, again, it wasn’t something that I didn’t expect or something. My ultimate goal is when I come on court to win, not just to do my best.”
“Of course I wouldn’t have been disappointed if I would have lost that match, but just fighting throughout whatever I had during the day. You know, it was tough conditions, late matches all the time, so it was something I had to deal with and incorporate the best way possible.”
It is refreshing to see Grigor relaxed and confident in Indian Wells, as we do remember how painful it must have been for him, to lose such a great match against Nadal, whose first words after the match were “I was very lucky”.
“I had expectations for myself,” said Dimitrov. “That wasn’t just to go out there and play. That’s to me the biggest disappointment, the negative part of it, of course. Of course I shed a few tears, but it should hurt. It should hurt. And it does hurt.”
Yes Grigor, “it is such a mysterious place the land of tears” – The Little Prince.
But in Indian Wells so far Grigor has only reasons to smile and to be happy after advancing to the third round. He will face Ernest Gulbis next.
From Indian Wells, Lucia Hoffman
