Grigor Dimitrov’s coach has addressed rumours that Wimbledon’s call to close the Centre Court roof could have played a role in his player’s injury.
Dimitrov was leading 6-3 7-5 2-2 against top-seed Jannik Sinner in the last 16 on Monday but had to retire from the match in heartbreaking scenes.
The 34-year-old Bulgarian suffered a pectoral muscle problem while attempting a serve and was in so much pain that he could not continue.
The Centre Court roof was closed after the second set – a decision which Andy Murray branded as ‘ridiculous’ – and speculation on social media spread like wildfire that the break in play may’ve been a factor in the injury.
One tennis fan, @rwmytnny, posted on X: ‘I had a bad feeling when they closed the roof and dimi was telling the chair it’s not a good time to do it, his muscles cooled down then they had that terrible quick warm up and rest is history. This is Wimbledon’s fault.’
A second tennis fan, @Nizza123321, added: ‘Roof closing caused Dimitrov’s muscles to cool down just enough to cause this muscular implosion. F****** disgusting they closed the roof when they had another hour of light.’
Dimitrov’s coach responds to injury rumours
It should be noted that both Dimitrov and Sinner had warmed up after the break in play to close the roof because of concerns over light – and that the duo completed four games before the former’s withdrawal from the match.
Dimitrov’s coach Jamie Delgado, speaking to the BBC if closing the roof had an impact on his player’s injury, said: ‘I don’t think so.
‘I know some people might feel that way. But Grigor actually, after the match, was [saying he was] liking when the roof went on, because he actually felt it got a little bit warmer in there, and his body loosened up a little bit more, even more than it was.
‘I guess it’s a separate question whether it should have been closed or not. I mean, I don’t think it made a difference in his actual injury.
‘But it should be an outdoor tournament and you should play outdoors for as long as possible – I don’t disagree with that.’
Rusedski claims closed roof helped Sinner
Former British No.1 tennis star Greg Rusedski, speaking before Sinner’s walkover win was confirmed, felt that closing the roof ‘helped’ the Italian.
‘If I was Grigor Dimitrov, I would say to keep playing [with the roof open],’ Rusedski said on BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘These conditions are working brilliantly for him.
‘When you close the roof, you do have perfect conditions and light but that is going to help Jannik Sinner because it is going to slow down the pace of play and his toss will be in the right place on top of that.
‘So if I was Dimitrov, I would’ve said keep the roof open and let’s try to play one more set even with the bad light. This actually favours Sinner.’
However, fellow former British No.1 Tim Henman defended the decision, insisting that closing the roof resulted in ‘ideal conditions’ for both players.
‘I always felt the players sweat more, and there is a little bit less air flow,’ Henman said.
‘It is absolutely ideal conditions, there is little wind with the roof open and none now.’
