By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday January 7, 2024
Grigor Dimitrov defeated Holger Rune in Brisbane to claim his first title since 2017.
Photo Source: TTV
Grigor Dimitrov – finally – is back in the winner’s circle.
The 32-year-old Bulgarian ended a seven-year title drought on Sunday in Brisbane, claiming the title with a pitch-perfect victory over Denmark’s Holger Rune, 7-6(5), 6-4.
Dimitrov, ranked 14th, claimed his ninth career title, and his first since the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals. Additionally, Dimitrov becomes the second player in history to own multiple titles in Brisbane, and the first since Andy Murray in 2013.
"I think there's a lot of emotions on so many different levels for me," Dimitrov said. "I think clearly winning a title, it means a lot to me. It's been a while. I think having that moment is in a way what I'm after."
Dimitrov said that defeating a hungry and talented young player like Rune in the final made his title even more spedial.
"Playing against the top players, way younger than me as well, it's a very good way for me to see where I'm at. I think this is in a way where I'm most proud with. Of course a win is a win, a title is a title, but I think seeing where I'm at is way more important."
The Bulgarian believes that he can be even better as the 2024 season progresses.
"It humbles me in the same time because I feel like I've been playing good tennis, and I also feel there's a little bit more that I can get better at on a few more things," he said, adding: "Who knows, if those things go right, what else might be coming my way."
An emotional Dimitrov was given the trophy by three-time Grand Slam champion Patrick Rafter in the arena named after the legendary Australian.
He praised 20-year-old Rune for his work ethic and predicted a bright future for the Dane before remarking on his own feelings briefly.
“It’s been a while since I held one of these,” Dimitrov said. “I think my love affair started 11 years ago out here in Brisbane, and it continues. It means a lot to me for so many different reasons.”
Dimitrov needed two hours and 16 minutes to stop Rune in a high quality contest that featured only one break of serve. The Bulgarian saved all three break points he faced and converted one of nine to avoid having to play a second-set tiebreak.
The 32-year-old Dimitrov saved a pair of break points in his first service game, and another at 3-3 in the first – and never faced another break point in the match.
Critically, Dimitrov won 12 of 22 second-serve points, and broke for 4-3 in the second set before serving the match out at love a few games later.
"Of course, I'm more than thrilled. More than thrilled," Dimitrov said. "Absolutely. In the same time it's like a token of all these little wins, those little days that I've put that extra work, the little reps that I did on the court or the little reps I did in the fitness, I don't know, the diet that I've been having, the special drinks that I've been drinking.
"There's so many little things, that when you put them all together, that's the reward...
"Nothing beats competition. You can practice as much as you want, be the fittest guy out there, but when the ball is rolling, this is where the truth comes out."