Grigor Dimitrov has spoken about his close friendship with tennis legend Serena Williams after the duo shared a heartwarming embrace at the 2024 Miami Open.
The Bulgarian met with Williams after his semi-final victory against Alexander Zverev and declared it is “very humbling to have such a supporter in your corner.”
Dimitrov ended his seven-match losing streak against world No 5, Zverev, to prevail 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4 to progress to the final of the Miami Open for the first time.
The 32-year-old is looking to win his second Masters 1000 crown to add to the Cincinnati Masters title he claimed in 2017. He was a runner-up at the Paris Masters in October last year.
The former world No 3 has defeated three top 10 players in a row to make the final in Miami, having overcome Hubert Hurkacz and Carlos Alcaraz in the last 16 and quarter-finals respectively prior to his win over Zverev.
Following his victory against Zverev, Dimitrov shared a chat and a hug with Williams, who had watched and supported him during the semi-final.
Iconic 🥹@Grigor_Dimitrov @serenawilliams #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/ITm24EElfG
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 30, 2024
In his post-match press conference, Dimitrov was asked what it meant to him to have the great American supporting him in such an important match.
“She’s amazing. We stay in touch. 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,” the current world No 12 said.
“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. It’s friendship, man. I think this is the best part. Tennis is tennis, but, you know, 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.”
Dimitrov will take on world No 3 and Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in the Miami championship match on Sunday. The 22-year-old Italian, who holds a 21-1 record in 2024 after his sensational start to the season, is the only ATP player to win more matches than Dimitrov so far this year.
