‘Baby Federer’ happy to give up Dubai sun to reach the top

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  • Grigor Dimitrov admits he missed the Dubai sun during his intense training block in Stockholm back in December but says putting in the hard work has had a positive effect on his psyche.

    The Bulgarian rising star, advanced to the second round at Roland Garros the easy way when his Colombian opponent Alejandro Falla retired from their match while trailing 4-6, 0-1.

    Dimitrov, who recently beat Novak Djokovic in Madrid and has risen to No28 in the rankings, had joined Magnus Norman’s Good to Great Academy in Sweden and rather than spending his off season in Dubai like he has done in the past, he spent his pre-season training in the harsh winter in Scandinavia amongst a hard-working Swedish team.

    “Last December I think is one of my darkest months in my life,” admits Dimitrov. “I had been practising for five weeks. It wasn't easy.

    “We had been working a lot on the fitness and of course we spent a lot of hours on court playing indoors for a month. Going to Australia was actually sort of a walk in the park after that.

    “But I think they are a great team in general, Good to Great Academy in general. They have been very supportive since the beginning and I’m really looking forward to have good results and trying to sustain a level that is going to bring us even further and even to the next level.”

    But did he miss the warm weather of Dubai? “Absolutely. Every single day of it,” Dimitrov said with a smile. “Every day. But I think it was a period that I really needed to pass through that month. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication.

    "But after you feel like you have done something well. And I felt also good about myself.

    Dimitrov has been dubbed “Baby Federer” since he showed up on tour, since his style – particularly his one-handed backhand – resembled that of Roger Federer.

    That nickname had already raised the level of expectation of the young Bulgarian but now that he has beaten Djokovic and joined the world’s top-30, that expectation is definitely warranted but Dimitrov says he feels no pressure this fortnight in Paris, where he could possible face Djokovic again in the third round.

    The 22-year-old said: “I don't think I should feel any pressure at the moment. I mean, I'm into the second round of a slam. There's nothing better than that. It's a great feeling.

    “Of course I saw the draw, and I'll be happy to (face Djokovic). I mean, these are the kind of matches I'd always want to play in. I feel good on the big courts and playing against good players.

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