By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Photo credit: Lacoste
Advancing age is the ultimate adversary for elite champions.
Reflecting on the challenge of facing opponents a decade younger, 35-year-old Grigor Dimitrov takes a philosophical approach to aging on the ATP Tour.
In a new interview with journalist Nicholas Albek of Bolavip conducted during Davis Cup weekend, Dimitrov said facing physically formidable opponents is part of the job. But Dimitrov concedes “it is not easy” seeing Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic struggle physically during his recent defeats at the US Open and Cincinnati Open.
“The players in today`s tennis are just bigger, stronger, faster, which is just a natural part of the evolution of tennis,” Dimitrov told Nicholas Albek of Bolavip. “But of course it is not easy to see Djokovic getting older, maybe struggling a bit.
“No matter how strong you are, it is inevitable that it will hit you eventually from a biological point of view.”
Former world No. 3 Dimitrov, who is now ranked No. 127 after suffering a pectoral injury during the 2025 Wimbledon, said aging on the ATP Tour can be physically punishing, but believes competing on the pro circuit at age 35 is ultimately “a very privileged place.”
“Nature calls itself and it is going to happen, and when you have been in a competitive sport for so many years, with traveling, jetlag and all that stuff, it eventually catches up with you,” Dimitrov said. “In a way I also feel like it should, you know. There are also other parts to life than tennis.
“We have just been put in this position, a very privileged place. I feel spoiled and we should feel that way.”
The Bulgarian-born Dimitrov has been a bit of a global citizen living in cities ranging from Paris to Monte-Carlo to Los Angeles at various times in his career. Dimitrov, who has also had high-profile relationships with Maria Sharapova, Nicole Scherzinger, and current girlfriend Eiza González, said he’d like to write a book about his life and career.
“I think I have been able to have a very unique path into this sport. One day I will write a book about it,” Dimitrov told Nicholas Albek of Bolavip. “The older I get, the more fascinating I become, also with the crowd and the other players.”
“Even with people like you who work in the media. Throughout the years it has been very special for me to talk to guys like you, no doubt about that.”
“I am just super grateful about that and I am trying to stay in the present moment, which is the most important thing for me right now. Of course, I still have some years left in me to play, but for me being able to still do what I do and giving myself that chance is huge for me.”
The top-ranked Bulgarian man in history has earned more than $32 million in career prize money and is 14 wins shy of reaching the magic 500-career victory mark.
Entering the final phase of his career, Dimitrov said he’s driven to run “my own race now,” shape his schedule to maximize recovery while drawing inspiration from tennis fans all over the world.
“Of course, I want to do all this for myself, but more than anything I want to do it for everyone else who has stuck with me throughout this time. I want to do it for the crowd and the kids as well,” Dimitov told Nicholas Albek of Bolavip. “This is really unique. I am in a unique position.
“I am very gracious about the position I am in. I am truly grateful for it. I am very self aware of how I am developing and how my body is feeling, but the tournaments and traveling are hard of course. I feel like I am just entering my own era now.
“It is so humbling to be a part of tennis still and it gives me the confidence to stay happy, regardless if I win or lose. That comes with maturity and getting old. Tennis has made me the person I am today.
“I can not emphasize enough that I am running my own race now. I feel like I have the privilege to be more selective with the tournaments I am playing.”
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