Grigor Dimitrov accomplishes a feat few current players can match
By Lee Vowell
Grigor Dimitrov is playing almost as well as he ever has to start 2024. His win percentage is much higher than his career win mark and he has already been to two tournament finals. He won the Brisbane International to begin the year. The Bulgarian is also known as one of the nicest players on tour and tennis fans normally want nice things to happen to good people.
At the French Open, Dimitrov defeated Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets in the fourth round to reach the quarterfinals. This is the first time in Dimitrov's career that he has played so deeply at Roland Garros. He had twice reached the fourth round previously before losing. Dimitrov will have a profoundly tough test in the quarters as the ATP No. 10 will play No. 2 Jannik Sinner.
Still, by simply reaching the quarterfinals, Dimitrov accomplished something only 12 other active players have done. That is he reached at least the quarterfinals at every Grand Slam event. While the Bulgarian has yet to reach the final of a major, he has reached the semifinals at every Grand Slam except for the French Open. Not yet anyway as if he defeats Sinner, he can mark making the semis at every major off his list as well.
Grigor Dimitrov joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on elite list
What might be most surprising about the group of current players to make the quarters at every major is the young players who have already accomplished the feat. This includes Sinner, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, and Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner is only 22 years old, and Alcaraz is only 21.
Alcaraz has won two majors so far, the 2022 US Open, and Wimbledon last year. His best run at Roland Garros was reaching the semifinals last year, while his best result at the Australian Open is making the quarterfinals this year.
Many of the other current players to have reached at least the quarterfinals at every Grand Slam are the usual suspects. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have obviously accomplished the feat because they have won every major at least twice. Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, both of whom have won three majors, have also reached the quarters at every major.
Some of the names one might find surprising. Marin Cilic, Matteo Berrettini, Karen Khachanov, and Kei Nishikori have all reached the quarterfinals at every Grand Slam. So have Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev. Only Medvedev and Cilic have won Grand Slams among this last group, though.