World number one Jannik Sinner advanced to his seventh consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon, but not without a somber end to his match against Grigor Dimitrov.
Sinner was trailing 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 when the unseeded Bulgarian tearfully retired due to a pectoral injury.
Sinner, who had been dealing with his own elbow issue, expressed deep concern for his friend. “I don’t take this as a win at all,” Sinner stated, highlighting Dimitrov’s history of Grand Slam retirements.
“This is just an unfortunate moment for all of us to witness.”
Dimitrov’s retirement marks his fifth in his last five Grand Slam appearances.
Sinner, who previously had an impressive tournament start with minimal game losses, now faces American 10th seed Ben Shelton. Sinner will also undergo an MRI on his elbow to assess his own injury.
“He is a good friend of mine,” Sinner added, wishing Dimitrov a speedy recovery.
