Grigor Dimitrov Turns to Former Rivals to Spark 2026 Revival

Grigor Dimitrov has overhauled his coaching staff by adding former World No. 3 David Nalbandian to his team. The Argentine joins forces with Xavier Malisse, the former Top-20 Belgian who was brought into the fold earlier this year.

Last year Dimitrov was working with Daniel Vallverdu and Jamie Delgado, but he split with the duo at the end of the season.

The newly formed partnership is a unique “full circle” moment for Dimitrov. Now 34 years old, the Bulgarian finds himself being guided by two men he actually competed against during the early stages of his career. Nalbandian and Malisse—who famously faced each other in the 2002 Wimbledon semifinals—both retired over a decade ago, providing a bridge between the era Dimitrov entered and the modern power game he is currently navigating.

Dimitrov won two of three outings vs Malisse between 2012 and 2013, and lost his only meeting with Nalbandian at Queen’s Club in 2021.

Navigating the Road Back

The decision to bring in fresh eyes follows a devastating 2025 season. At Wimbledon last year, Dimitrov appeared to be playing the tennis of his life, holding a commanding two-set lead over eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the fourth round. However, a sudden pectoral tear forced a heartbreaking retirement, an injury that derailed his momentum and sidelined him for months.

“I’m trying to find the silver lining,” Dimitrov told the ATP. “I’d never really been injured or experienced being away from the sport for that long, so it was extremely new.”

Currently ranked No. 44 and holding a modest 1-3 record to start the 2026 season, Dimitrov is looking to his new mentors to help him regain his footing.

A Natural Connection

For Dimitrov, the appeal of his new “super coaching” tandem lies in their shared history on the court.

“I knew them separately, and it also helps when you’ve played against them a few times,” Dimitrov said ahead of his campaign in Acapulco. “It’s nice when you can relate to someone that you have played… we really started to see things similarly and I could relate to them in terms of the timing of their careers, injuries, game plan, thoughts, and all of that.”

While the collaboration is still in its infancy, the Bulgarian is optimistic about the structure Nalbandian and Malisse provide. “Right now, we are still finding our footing, because it’s very new for all of us, but things are very clear of what needs to be done and how we want to tackle the game.”

Dimitrov will have his first major test under this new setup on Tuesday in Acapulco, where he is scheduled to face France’s Terence Atmane.