Grigor Dimitrov’s racquet – Player Profile

Updated September 2024.
If you’re a racquetholic and watched Wimbledon, you might have noticed Grigor Dimitrov’s new racquet. What is it?

I’ve gotten several messages about it. Everything from players just wondering what it is and also from people who are close enough to “the action” to be in the know. I don’t know the specs, but I’ve figured out that there is not one Dimitrov’s new racquet, but rather that he is testing a few options. The one you might have spotted in Wimbledon is a Wilson H22 pro stock, but he is testing some other racquets (Pro Staffs) as well.

2024 update to Dimitrov’s racquet and specifications below.

What is Dimitrov’s new racquet?

Dimitrov has been an on-and-off guy when it comes to racquets, but he has mainly remained true to his beloved Pro Staff. Now he plays the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph mold, but with an 18/18 string pattern. A string pattern which is ultra-rare on the tour, he might actually be the only player using it at the moment.

The only racquet on the market with an 18/18 string pattern is the new outgoing Prince Synergy 98. You can check out our Prince Synergy 98 Review.

These are the approximate specifications of Dimitrov’s new racquet according to Pro Stock Tennis.

Head size 97 sq. in. / 626 sq. cm
Length 27 in. / 68.6 cm
Strung weight 12.3 oz. / 349 gr
Strung balance 325 mm
Stiffness 68
Grip size L5 (5/8)
Grip-type Wilson leather + tourna overgrip
String pattern 18 mains / 18 crosses
Silicone No (epoxy filled by Wilson Pro Room)
Lead No (at least not visible)

More on Grigor Dimitrov

Bulgaria is not the first name that comes to mind when we talk about nations with incredible tennis legacies. Grigor Dimitrov, therefore, did not have a legion of local heroes to look up to when he decided to take up tennis as a professional pursuit. 

The Haskovo native dreamt of becoming a trailblazer for his nation’s tennis hopefuls and that he did. He made history by becoming the first Bulgarian to qualify for and win the ATP Finals, and the first Bulgarian to hoist a Masters 1000 title.

From breaking new grounds for Bulgarian tennis to dating Maria Sharapova, here’s the story of how an unassuming Balkan became bona fide tennis royalty.

Biography

Grigor Dimitrov was born in the quaint Bulgarian town of Haskovo in 1991. His mother gave him a racket when he was three years old, and by the time he was five he was playing with it everyday. 

Dimitrov developed his abilities under the close scrutiny of his father, a tennis instructor, rapidly surpassing his junior tournament rivals. Dimitrov’s father recognized the vast potential his son has and realized it was time for him to pursue fresh challenges. 

He hit the ground running after becoming professional in 2007. Having won the junior crowns at both the US Open and Wimbledon a year later, Dimitrov set the stage for a strong senior career.

Grigor Dimitrov Professional Career Overview

On the ATP Tour, Grigor Dimitrov has shown himself to be a regular performer over the past decade and a half. He has accumulated nine ATP titles, making three Grand Slam semi-finals. 

Early victories on the Challenger Tour paved the way for his meteoric rise. In 2013, he picked up a statement victory at the Madrid Open against the then world No 1 Novak Djokovic in a battle that stretched longer than three hours. His campaign was cut short in the third round, however, when he fell short of defeating Stan Wawrinka.

Dimitrov did not have to wait long to enjoy the sweet taste of ATP success, however. Claiming his first ATP victory, he made an amazing comeback from a set down in the Stockholm Open final against David Ferrer. That year, Dimitrov not only attained a career-high ranking of No 22 but also became the first male Bulgarian player in the Open Era to collect an ATP title.

2017 turned out to be the most successful year of Dimitrov’s career. Beginning as the 17th-ranked player worldwide, he won the Brisbane International. Dimitrov then had a semi-final run at the Australian Open. A maiden Grand Slam victory appeared to be a real prospect in Australia, but he suffered a semi-final loss to Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller.

His following event was Sofia Open, where he performed well to add one more championship to his resume. Still, his finest was yet to come as he finished the year with the 2017 Cincinnati Masters and the ATP Finals. In addition, he finished the year third in the world—remarkably, his career best until today. 

In the years that follow Dimitrov’s breakthrough year, the Bulgarian plateaued somewhat. While he still made another Grand Slam semi-final in 2019, plus quarter-finals in 2018 and 2021, he wouldn’t win another title until 2024.

2024, however, has seen a resurgence of Dimitrov. The 33-year-old won his first title in over six years, claiming the Brisbane Open again. He also found some much-needed consistency with duel Grand Slam quarter-finals, cracking the top 10 again for the first time since 2018.

Grigor Dimitrov’s Biggest Achievements 

• Won the ATP Finals title on his debut campaign. Only six other players have managed to do so in history. 
• Has the longest streak of Grand Slam appearances. 
• Won the 2017 Cincinnati Masters and the 2017 ATP Finals.
• Reached the 2014 Wimbledon, 2017 Australian Open, and the 2019 US Open semifinals. 
• Career high ranking: 3

Playing Style and Tactical Approach

On the ATP Tour, Grigor Dimitrov’s playing technique is among the most distinctive and arresting ones. His all-around performance, extraordinary shot-making and elegant style have won him a lot of respect.

Many fans and pundits find similarities between Dimitrov and Roger Federer. Often dubbed “Baby Fed”, the Bulgarian has now established his own style of play.  His game gains some flare and unpredictability from his ability to generate trick shots and unusual strokes.

Dimitrov’s amazing forehand skills let him strike at astonishing speed and surprise his opponent. His one-handed backhand is one of the best in the game, with both power and precision. Add in a sharp serv, and when the Bulgarian is seeing the ball well, it’s no wonder he has been as high as No 3 in the world.

Who is Grigor Dimitrov’s Coach?

Daniel Vallerdu and Jamie Delgado train Grigor Dimitrov right now. 

Dimitrov has long known Vallverdu as a friend. First beginning their collaboration in 2016, Dimitrov has acknowledged Vallverdu for his 2017 success in many of his interviews. They would split ways in 2019, however, before getting back together late in 2022. 

In 2024, he also added Delgado, who had previously worked with British star Andy Murray.

Interesting Facts About Grigor Dimitrov

• Dimitrov and Djokovic are excellent friends. He was one of the select few guests at Djokovic’s wedding. 
• Dimitrov is the sole Bulgarian tennis player to have ever reached the top 10 in the ATP Singles rankings.
• He loves cars, computers, and watches. 
• He used to date Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova. The couple were together for two years, but have been separated since 2015, and remain good friends.

Social Media Presence and Fan Engagement

Grigor Dimitrov also keeps up a decent social media profile. With more than a million Instagram (@grigordimitrov) followers, he keeps them informed with behind-the-scenes events, match highlights, and personal images. 

On X (@GrigorDimitrov), he is also very visible where he discusses tennis, gives ideas, and interacts with followers.

Beyond the court, Grigor spends his time on photography and traveling. He also hangs out with fans online. He’s done Q&As, contests, and more, giving his followers a chance to get to know him personally.