Video: Sampras Says Dimitrov Is Next Star

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Video: Sampras Says Dimitrov Is Next Star

It was a season of struggle for Grigor Dimitrov, who dropped from a career-high ranking of No. 8 last season to his current rank of No. 28.

Dimitrov, who split with both coach Roger Rasheed and girlfriend Maria Sharapova during the season, concedes he lost confidence during a transition season in which he switched to a new Wilson racquet and suffered some gut-wrenching losses.

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But the 24-year-old Bulgarian has a major backer who believes in him: 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras.

In this interview with fellow Hall of Famer Boris Becker for the IPTL, Sampras says Dimitrov is the young player most likely to become tennis' next big star—if he can find clarity on court and learn to effectively employ his expansive all-court skills.

"Grigor Dimitrov, I think he hits the ball great," Sampras says in the video above. "He just has to figure out a way to win. He's just a little confused out there.

"I think he's got all the shots. He serves well, moves well, returns well. But he's the one guy that I think could do some things."

Photo credit: Christopher Levy

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