Frightened Wimbledon star confesses to breaking down in tears in changing rooms

Grigor Dimitrov has revealed that he was frightened to get back on court after suffering a horror pectoral injury on Wimbledon's Centre Court last year. The Bulgarian star was in commanding form in the fourth round when he led world No 1 by two sets to love on the second Monday of the tournament, appearing on course for a historic victory.

Then Dimitrov went down in pain early in the third set. He left the court for treatment but it was of no use, and he retired while Sinner went on to win the title. The immediate aftermath was deeply traumatic, though Dimitrov kept the full extent of his suffering private for some time.

The former world No 3 has now revealed that he spent two hours crying in the locker room after that heartbreaking exit before heading to the hospital. But the emotional weight of the incident didn't hit him until months later, suggesting the true psychological impact took longer to manifest.

Dimitrov still hasn't discussed the ill-timed retirement with Sinner directly. When asked about their interactions since that fateful match, he explained: "No not really I think obviously his whole team checked on me for the next weeks which was very nice I appreciate it but our sport moves too quick and you get forgotten too quickly. But that's okay. It's all good. I'm ready to compete again so let's see."

The injury and its aftermath have clearly tested the Bulgarian's resilience significantly. The experience of leading a world No 1 by two sets and then being forced to retire has left a lasting mark, forcing him to confront both the physical recovery required and the psychological challenges that such a sudden exit presents to professional athletes at the highest level of the sport.