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Will Grigor Dimitrov slump continue into 2019 ATP Tour?

By Harry Floyd

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria plays a backhand in his match against Kei Nishikori of Japan during day five of the 2019 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 03, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria plays a backhand in his match against Kei Nishikori of Japan during day five of the 2019 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 03, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) /
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As the 2019 ATP Tour kicks off around the tennis world, we have to wonder whether or not Grigor Dimitrov can rediscover his game this year.

Grigor Dimitrov is the 2017 ATP Finals men’s singles champion. The Bulgarian tennis star burst onto the scene less than two years ago, reaching the world number three ranking on the ATP Tour and taking home his finals title in London. That year, he took down another of his peers in David Goffin during the finals, winning 7–5, 4–6, 6–3.

Entering the 2019 ATP Tour as the world number 19 in men’s singles tennis, Dimitriv is looking to retouch those career heights of not too long ago.

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At the Brisbane International, Dimitrov falls to Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori in straight sets. It is not the start that the Bulgarian was looking for. Last year, he put together a 24-19 singles match record on the ATP Tour. He did not, however, take home a title throughout the season. Dimitrov needs the year ahead to be different from 2018.

Nishikori defeats Dimitrov in Brisbane, winning 7-5 7-5. The Japanese veteran reaches the semifinals and faces Jérémy Chardy next at the event.

Dimitrov, on the other hand, will regroup and refocus himself as all roads lead to the Australian Open.

At 27-years-old, the former ATP Finals champion has eight ATP singles titles to his name, a previous top three ranking, and plenty of time to get his game together. The field in men’s singles tennis is not getting any less competitive though. Younger stars such as recent ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev are beginning to challenge the likes of world number one Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.

Next. Top 10 Young ATP Stars Today. dark

Will Bulgarian tennis star Grigor Dimitrov bounce back on the 2019 ATP Tour? He needs to prove himself sooner rather than later. Action at Melbourne Park is right around the corner and players around the world are vying for early year momentum. Dimitrov cannot afford to lose much ground in the coming weeks.

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