By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday March 30, 2024
During Grigor Dimitrov’s three-set win over Alexander Zverev in the Miami Open semifinals on Friday, a familiar face was cheering boisterously for the Bulgarian from her courtside seat: Serena Williams.
The American was clearly in Dimitrov’s corner, judging from this reaction to Dimitrov winning the opening set:
After Dimitrov's win the pair shared a hug backstage, and the Bulgarian proceeded to talk about the strength of his relationship with the 23-time major champion during his post-match press conference.
“She's amazing. We stay in touch,” he said. “We nearly speak on a daily basis. She said, I'm gonna come watch. I was, like, Okay. It's always very humbling to have such a supporter in your corner, and I think just before the match she came, we had a little chat.
Dimitrov says the pair go way back, and he recalls Williams being present when he recorded his first Top-10 win, at Miami in 2012.
“Actually, I remember she was even here when I had my first top-10 win. It was a very nice moment. I think we both remember that,” he said, adding: “It's friendship, man. I think this is the best part. We are all living our dream right now. I think the real life begins after, and I think we have managed to be such good and close friends after so many years. “And again, to be able to lean on, to share thoughts, ideas, and sometimes to even vent, someone that actually played tennis, right? It helps a lot.”