Grigor Dimitrov and Matteo Berrettini have shared a tennis journey from a distance that no player wants to follow. Both have often been injured, just falling short of their ultimate goal of sheer tennis greatness. Each is worthy of so much more.
More, to be fair, from their off-court behavior than from their on-court persona. Berrettini and Dimitrov, you see, are the nicest of humankind. They are respectful and allow niceness to those who have defeated them. Do each rage with their own desire to claim a major crown? Of course. Every player does.
Which is why the winner of their third-round match at Wimbledon 2026 likely left tennis fans divided. Many wanted both players to win, but only one could. This would have been fitting of a later-round match if kindness counted. Sadly, in most walks of life, it doesn't.
Grigor Dimitrov defeats fellow fan-favorite Matteo Berrettini in the third round of Wimbledon 2026
Fittingly, the match was fairly even and went to a fifth set. Dimitrov, the Bulgarian who has reached the semifinals of a couple of majors and might have been on the cusp of claiming Wimbledon 2025 had he not torn a pec muscle in the fourth round against Jannik Sinner (he led two sets to love), won the first two sets. Berrettini won the next two.
Berrettini was just as beloved by tennis fans, and so it should be. He was capable of excellence, but injuries have kept him from his true potential. He knew Dimitrov's shocking failures well, as each has fallen short because their bodies broke down more than their will to win.
It was Grigor Dimitrov who made it through the match, however. He took the final set 6-3. He played better overall, not just relying on a great serve to be victorious. He has always been an elite, well-rounded player, except for his many injuries. After losing to Sinner the way he did in 2025, he deserves to win (finally) his first major at Wimbledon 2026.
He will next play a defeatable foe. In the fourth round, he will take on Arthur Fery. The British crowd will be behind Fery, but with a soft spot in their hearts for the magnificent Dimitrov.
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