Grigor Dimitrov, the talented Bulgarian tennis player, is back at the Mexican Open Acapulco with a renewed focus on regaining his competitive rhythm, following a challenging 2025 season marked by setbacks. The major news surrounding his participation is the addition of the legendary David Nalbandian to his coaching team, a move that promises to have a significant impact on his approach to the game. Alongside Nalbandian, former top 20 Belgian player Xavier Malisse also joins the team, creating a lineup rich in experience and knowledge.
“It’s good when we can relate to someone we’ve played against,” said Dimitrov, emphasizing the importance of working with former rivals. This connection is not just emotional; it is a strategy that could shape his preparation for the upcoming challenges. The Bulgarian, currently ranked 44th in the world, is determined to regain his form after a chest injury forced him to withdraw from the Wimbledon tournament while leading Jannik Sinner by two sets. Since then, his participation in competitions has been limited, having played only one tournament at the Paris Masters, four months after the incident.
At the start of the season, Dimitrov participated in three events: the Brisbane International, the Australian Open, and the Dallas Open. Although he began with a victory over Pablo Carreño Busta, his attempts to progress were thwarted by defeats against Raphael Collignon, Tomas Machac, and Alex Michelsen. Now, the focus shifts to his first challenge in Acapulco, where he will face Terence Atmane, the world number 63.
Regarding his new collaboration with Nalbandian, Dimitrov emphasized the ease of communication that comes from working with someone who has a similar background. “I knew them separately, and it helps when we’ve played against each other a few times,” the tennis player said in an interview with ATP Media. “It’s nice when we can relate to someone we’ve played against. They have been retired for over ten years, but it wasn’t that long ago either.”
The partnership between Dimitrov, Nalbandian, and Malisse is based on shared experiences and past competitions. The Bulgarian recalls losing the only time he faced Nalbandian in the semi-final at Queen’s Club in 2012, but he has a positive record against Malisse, with two victories in three encounters, including wins in Monte Carlo and Washington in 2013. Nalbandian and Malisse also had an interesting history, facing each other seven times on the circuit, including a memorable semi-final at Wimbledon.
Dimitrov noted that discussions with the new team quickly revealed alignments in their views on careers, game plans, and recovery. “At first, when I started talking to them, we quickly realized that we saw things similarly and I could relate to them in terms of the timeline of their careers, injuries, game plans, and thoughts,” explained the former ATP Finals champion. “In a way, everything happened very naturally. Right now, we are still finding our rhythm because it’s all new to us, but things are very clear about what needs to be done and how we want to approach the game.”
The injury at Wimbledon not only brought physical challenges but also required a mental recalibration. Dimitrov admitted, “I had to change some things, whether I liked it or not. It was more the work I had to do for myself, more from a mental standpoint. I had to change a lot of things and that played a bit with my head. It’s normal, and I’m trying to find the positive side. I had never really been injured or experienced being away from the sport for so long, so it was extremely new.”
Arriving early in Acapulco, Dimitrov dedicated extra hours of training to regain his readiness for competition. “I came early. I wanted to make sure I could be on court for a few more hours,” he said. “The last few months have been a bit difficult. I haven’t been able to train as much as I would have liked, nor have I had more matches.”
Despite Acapulco bringing back pleasant memories of his victory in 2014, Dimitrov is focused on the present. “I will always remember the great memories,” he stated. “Every time we enter the same tournament, it’s the same tournament, but it’s a new year. I’m always trying to build on that new habit, whatever the new preparation may be.” He added that understanding himself and implementing new routines with Nalbandian and Malisse is central to his progress. “I’m always trying to understand myself. I really hope to implement that and make sure I feel good when I step onto the court.”
With the new team and a renewed mindset, Dimitrov seems ready to face the challenges that await him in Acapulco and beyond.
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